FarangRimPing

Did you try registering via desktop? No app needed. The downloading of Phone apps are often restricted by location. Sometimes a particular app has different versions, depending on location.

Perhaps the people who could not activate the eSim while overseas did not buy the International Roaming package before they tried to activate the eSim.

I did it ALL from Thailand. My last trip to the US was more than 5 years ago. I did it all from the internet, online. Bought the package, bought the $10 International Roaming credit. Installed the eSim on my Samsung S21 Ultra Plus 5G. eSim, as I mentioned previously. Then activated it while in Thailand. That's the process I used, successfully.

I have an eSim from Mintmobile. I bought the plan for exactly the same reasons you did and have been using it whenever I need to reply to a US SMS code. I set it all up from Thailand, using the Internet. As soon as I bought the plan, I bought $10 of International Roaming to receive the texts here. I've had it about a year now, and it has worked flawlessly. I normally have the Mintmobile eSIM turned off. If I need to do a transaction with a US bank, I turn on the eSim and wait for the text, respond, and then turn the eSim off. My initial $10 International Roaming credit is now something close to the original $10. In other words, I've used very little of it. I definitely recommend Montmobile and its eSIM system.

You might try searching on Agoda or Booking.com and then when you find a place which suits you, contact them directly.

It's really up to what you feel comfortable with. I've been on the cruise as a couple, threesome, foursome, and 20 or so people for business. I would not feel uncomfortable being alone but that's me.

I've gone on this cruise about 10 times with different guests. Everyone has really loved it. The Manohra Cruises rice barges are antique and carefully restored to preserve the original artistry. Carved from teak and with a traditional reua krachaeng canopy, the setting is intimate and guests enjoy a cool river breeze. These iconic vessels were once the primary mode of transport on the river, particularly during the Thonburi period in the mid 18th century, harking back to a golden era when Bangkok was a major trading destination. https://www.manohracruises.com/default/special-offers/manohra-dinner-cruise

Just bought a Samsung UA65CU8100KXXT, from Shopee. The Vendor was Lotus. I didn't need a new TV but the special price was too low to pass up... 15k. (I saw the same TV in Powerbuy, similarly priced on sale at 16k.) Fantastic TV. It's 4k. 8000 series, which is one of their top lines. Here's the link to the Samsung Thailand website: https://www.samsung.com/th/tvs/uhd-4k-tv/cu8000-65-inch-ua65cu8100kxxt/

BYD blowing by Japan for Thailand’s EV market Leading Chinese EV maker is setting up shop and cutting fast into Japan’s long-time dominance of lucrative Thai auto market https://asiatimes.com/2023/10/byd-blowing-by-japan-for-thailands-ev-market/

$35 for a legit full package of MS Office. It's lifetime, so you get upgrades to Office 2021, the current version,but won't get free access to any future versions, if there will be any. Microsoft Office 2021 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote. Windows users and also get Publisher and Access. https://lifehacker.com/you-can-get-microsoft-office-for-35-right-now-1850768358

Yes, permanent move,according to what the officers have told several expats who've asked.

Perhaps this is sufficiently different, but when I was working (I'm now retired), I paid taxes in Thailand and received a credit towards my taxes in the US, so I did have to pay the difference, theoretically. However, tax rates in Thailand were higher than the US, so I didn't pay US taxes on Thailand income. Let's see what comes out in the final regulations.

Central Plaza, ground floor. Big Camera shop.

That's a wonderful site. Thanks!

Back in Chiang Rai

Samein Chiang Rai. Strange, I run Speedtest and get very quick Ping and also full (fast) upload and download speeds. But normal surfing is painfully slow and mostly time-outs. I wonder if this has anything to do with them being acquired by AIS?

It looks to me that someone tried to reset your Facebook password, and Facebook wanted to verify that it was you. I think it did come from Facebook. That said, I would not click on any link in that email, in case that it was not legitimate. Always go to the website directly.

LMG has special insurance plans for this. They are low cost and extremely low benefit, designed to meet the Immigration department's requirements but don't provide meaningful insurance benefits. Several expats in Chiang Rai have used them. https://www.lmginsurance.co.th/en/long-stay-visa-plus

Of course. In Thailand, quite often certain folks get paid more than market value of the property. Other folks get paid less than market. Wht I found interesting was that the owners were responsible for clearing the lot themselves. They didn't get the final payment until the land was cleared. I assume that if they didn;t clear it, the government would do it and then the total payment would be lower. Perhaps they would only get the small initial payment.

I tried the EA Anywhere station in Kamphaeng Phet again, and it still didn't work, 6 months after I complained to them in January. So again, I'm out money since you have to pay ahead of time. 200 baht because you now have to prepay via a wallet, with a 200 baht minimum. I again complained and sent them proof from their app showing I received 0 electricity. I was ignored, again. Bottom line, be very wary of using EA Anywhere. I will not be using them again.

A few months back we were in Dong Mahawan and saw that Google maps showed a new railway station, so we drove to see it. There was nothing there and we asked a local vendor about it. He then pointed out many buildings that were being torn down or had already been torn down. He said that the government pays people to tear down their houses in the path of the railway, and then gives them another, larger amount, when the tearing down is complete. So it is happening and I expect that the process will be accelerating.

Not really related to your question about Loei city but if you're in the area, an afternoon on a raft at Huai Krathing Reservoir is a good idea. The vendor stocks a raft with food and beer, and then tows your personal raft out into the middle f the reservoir. Very relaxing. Call them when you've had enough. I agree that Chiang Khan is nice and I've also stayed at the Chiangkhan River Mountain Resort. I thought it was good but next time I might want to stay on the walking street as they had some nice places there.

I have PR and returned from Sweden on Tuesday. I went into the Thai Natiional line, alone. As mentioned earlier, PRs are supposed to go through the Thai National line. I was told this by Immigration when I received PR.

I highly recommend this restaurant and have been there many times. Extensive menu, and both Thai and western dishes are very good.

Dr.Anjira's English is excellent. I had a filling/cleaning done on Friday evening by one of her colleagues, and she was also very good, with good English skills. I don't know of anyone who has used this dentist and has been unhappy with the work.