Wandr

26 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Info for the ITIN application and instructions is here on the IRS website.

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-7

Useful...thanks. 

Looks like she isn't even eligible for a TIN because I am not filing jointly, and not claiming any tax benefit. 

But I will still have to mail in the return because the software won't let me without the TIN.

Thanks everyone...

No, not filing jointly and not claiming anyone as a dependent.  Any solution?

A long shot - marriage is not registered in US. Can I claim single status?

A rant about US tax laws would be appropriate here, but I think it's been done!

What do people normally do about Thai spouses when filing U.S. taxes?

Online software is asking for a TIN (tax identification number). Is it necessary to get one, or is there an easier go-around for this situation?

Thanks.

I am finding that Mach3s are about the same price as in the US. Usually I bring enough but got caught short this year because of travel restrictions. 

A visit to Tesco got me a pack with each cartridge coming in at 73 baht each. That's what I would pay at a place like Walmart if I buy bigger packs.  Smaller packs will be more. 

Never buy online.  Too many fakes around, especially the Chinese horde on Amazon. 

22 hours ago, jak2002003 said:

Well, they but new lenses in my old frame and only charged for the lenses...which were cheaper that the quotes I got from the other opticians. 

 

My lenses were also quite complicated to make as I have an eye condition and they lenses had to be really thick...but they were able to make them much thinner at way more than half the price the other shops were. 

 

 

You really think they gave you a frame for "free", as you said earlier? You must be a very trusting person.

No, they charged you for the frame, including it in the price of the lens, because that is how they do business.

If you did not find a lens at a lower price you did not look enough. As everyone has noted, opticians in Thailand simply want to rip foreigners off and will quote the list price for higher cost lens. You have to look around, and educate yourself somewhat on types of lens etc.

If you like Owndays that is fine. I am just trying to set the record straight. The store has some good things going for it. I would be much happier with them if they did not practice deceptive pricing. Just price a lens correctly and not bring the frame into it. Then people can compare cost more easily, and use their own frames if they want.

17 hours ago, jak2002003 said:

Found it. It's called Owndays. 

 

Owndays is okay if you stick with single vision house lenses and buy a frame from them. Anything other than that and they hit you. And if you bring your own frame they still charge you for a frame.

Their business model relies heavily on making you get frames from them, which are marked up to ridiculous levels.

For instance, they quote 3000 baht for their cheaper Transitions type lenses. You have to buy a frame from them on top of this, which is a minimum of 2000 baht, so the cost shoots up to 5000 baht or more. I had a new frame and went with it - but the price is no longer 3000 baht. If you bring your own frame the price of the lens jumps to 5000 baht. This is predatory pricing.

I found a shop that sold Essilor lenses for a little more than half this price.

When looking for reasonably priced lenses, don't forget Top Charoen. They will try to sell you expensive lenses, but their house brand is perfectly fine. Single vision lenses are 500 baht, and they are the same material for which Owndays (and others) charges 2000 baht or more. They also have a Transitions type house lens.

I have not previously considered online eyeglasses, partly because I bought glasses from Costco in the US. Costco prices are not prohibitive (other stores in the US can fleece you). But given that it may be another year before I can travel, I will give online a try.

The Vision Center mentioned above is the way to go.  I asked a well known eye specialist recently where I should go for a glasses prescription and he sent me there.

Just don't tell him you will order online  - he is very sensitive about it. Make up a story and pay him.

Glasses prices are beyond ridiculous in Thailand but I  get mine made in the US. Recently I had some single vision lens made here and was again quoted ridiculous prices. 

I have been thinking of online but I don't know how to get the PD right.  Every store I go to gives a different number. 

And I would never take the advice above to get tested at any store.  I have had mine tested just to check  and get incorrect numbers from them.  

Most store people here don't even know what lens materials are  - all they know is the word plastic.  Trusting them to get an accurate eye prescription would be really risky. 

3 hours ago, beau thai said:

try Aden Health store just south of Tesco lotus Kamthieng. Google has address. Maybe call first to avoid a wasted journey but the folks there have most things on that front

I just bought mine from Iherb. Took a while to arrive...

Appreciate the info. I will be gone a few days and will check after I return.  I will post if I find anything interesting. 

In the meantime can you tell if there was any Thailand tax  on the iHerb shipment.  And if so what percent?

1 hour ago, Andy from Kent said:

Maybe you overlooked this online retailer.   They offer the product in thailand.

 

https://www.ubuy.co.th/en/search/?q=lactaid

Thanks for the tip.

Unfortunately this business is a  ripoff artist.  They have inflated the price of the product by more than 50 percent,  and want to charge shipping on top. Why would anyone order from them?

Has anyone found a source for lactase enzyme in Thailand, preferably Chiang Mai? I will appreciate some directions if so. Does not have to be the original Lactaid brand.

If not in a store then what is the best online source. The two big online retailers are not proving very helpful. 

1 hour ago, Dante99 said:

Some inititive would be useful.  You can get that information easily with a search like Google.

Who asked you?

Go play with something as you have nothing to do  - maybe something round and soft? You can use Google to locate.

Some contact information will be useful. 

How long ago did you work with her, and did the 20000 baht include purchase contract.

Thanks. 

On 11/21/2020 at 9:41 PM, Thorgal said:

Used Miss Sumalee Jenapa for home study report before buying my house..

 

Some contact information will be useful. 

How long ago did you work with her, and did the 20000 baht include purchase contract.

Thanks. 

15 hours ago, zeekgarcia said:

Has anyone not married to a Thai got a Yellow book from Amphere Hangdong?

 

What did it require and when did you get it?

Thanks

To answer,  yes I obtained a yellow book about 18 months back.

I went with my girlfriend because a translator is needed.

As to requirements,  go to the office and they will give written instructions. 

The department head did ask why I needed one.  Have an answer ready. 

Thanks.

What about AFTER obtaining a new extension? Aren't I supposed to keep money in the bank for some time.

Say, my extension expires on Feb 1, and I get a new one-year extension on Jan 1. 400000 baht can be taken out when?

I need to confirm the duration that 800000 baht must stay in a bank account(s). Is the duration calculated from the date that I go to Immigration to renew the extension to stay, or is it calculated from the expiry date of the extension. This is for a retirement visa.

Also, what is the procedure to follow if I want to change banks? I asked an immigration officer once and he hemmed and hawed without giving a clear answer. If I close the account in one bank, and deposit the money in another bank the same day - is it acceptable to Immigration?

My third question is to try and establish which bank is the easiest to deal with for immigration purposes. I am with CIMB at the moment, and it really has been the pits. Now that they are closing branches it is time to exit and find a more stable organization.

This is too late to help the OP, but it will be instructive for others in the same situation. 

The most protective motorcycle covers I have come across are branded Sabai, and sold on Lazada. They may have other outlets  - I don't know. 

These are made from a really heavy material and come in different sizes.  I would recommend buying a  size that is larger than recommended,  no harm if it's a bit large.

They cost 435 b., delivered in a couple of days. 

Be aware that they make a lighter cover for travel purposes.  I have no experience of those.  

Unfortunately that was not my experience with Amnuay. I went to the shop opposite Bangkok Hospital, and got ripped off to the tune of 800 baht.

I just wanted them to wire the camera which was plugged into the cigarette lighter. There was a young woman who spoke English, and the mechanic. Even before they had looked at the connection they said this is broken and needs to be replaced. It was working fine and this should have alerted me. But I figured they'd need a different type of connection anyway to wire it.

In the waiting room a woman came by and showed me a bill for 400 baht - excessive I thought for 10 minutes work - but I let it pass. But when it came time to pay I was charged 800 baht. I protested and said I had been shown 400, but the woman who spoke better English said that did not include the cost of the cable.

My choice then was to not pay and have the whole thing reversed, but I did not trust them to do it properly. So I just paid.

I will probably drop by again and ask for a manager just to see what he/she says. In the meantime a  word of warning - if you do feel like you have to go there, just be clear about cost beforehand. I know I will never go back.

3 hours ago, Ireland32 said:

It’s bait and switch , I was sucked into the deals but then slowly they disappeared I walked out of Toyota, they changed contracts , Ridiculous 

No bait and switch at Honda. You should have a copy of your contract,  and I am not sure how they can change it.

A few days back I was offered cash and kind discounts totaling about 10 percent of the car price.  That's more than 80000 baht.

This was at a dealership,  they did better than the dealer at the motor show.

I think the discount is even better if you finance. 

This is a good time to buy a car.

There are good deals at the show if you are in the market now.

Honda has 30k off the Civic for cash payments,  and 40k off if you finance.  Plus a bunch of freebies.  I am sure other brands also have deals.

Only problem is Honda doesn't have any stock. The Civic for instance will be delivered after 2-3 months,  when it will almost be an older model - the 2021 should be on the way.

Many don't care about this and will doubtless snap up the deals.

55 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Krung Thai are who Roojai is agent for.

Thanks...so they will operate like a department of Krung Thai. They will be useless if there is a dispute with Krung Thai.

It all comes down to Krung Thai- whether it is "reasonably " fair or tries to avoid its responsibilities.

Let's see if some people post their experience dealing with the company.

I looked quickly through this site for recommendations on car insurance in Chiang Mai. I found two only - Roojai, an online broker, and AA Insurance, whose location was not given.

Roojai is attractive pricing, but I did not find references to the insurance companies they use, and what their service is like if there is a claim. If a few people have this knowledge, can they please post? It will be of help.

Any other information about insurance brokers in Chiang Mai that have physical offices?

Thanks.

OP is correct, the 90 day report site was inaccessible for part of the day today.

I did my report yesterday,  was approved shortly after.

I wanted to print the approval but couldn't access the site today.  I see it's back on so I will do it tomorrow.

Now if only someone would come up with a  remedy for geckos/lizards - the common house variety.

I have tried some of the stuff I  saw on the internet.  Peacock feathers even! Even got a green paste from the local farm store.  Placed sticky papers.  No luck.

Short of releasing snakes,  there doesn't seem to be an answer.