CanuckThai

3 minutes ago, Thian said:

The butter here is very hard, those wrapped blocks i mean....i spread it on frozen bread which is easyier.

 

Foodland has softer margarine but i don't like it and it's very expensive. I only eat real butter without palm oil (you have to check that).

I hear ya.  I have "blocks" of normal butter in the fridge, but usually buy a small container of "soft spreadable" butter...can't seem to find it anywhere now....

I picked up a 2kg+ piece of mozzarella at Macro on Saturday, nothing special as far as flavour, but (really) decent mozzarella for homemade pizzas.  

As side question: I just got back home after a longer than expected trip (work), and can't seem to find "spreadable" butter anywhere.  Something up in Thailand all of a sudden?  Anyone find it in their area? 

Interesting that Canadian Salmon is almost unheard of here.  The salmon (wild and farmed) industry in Canada is fairly robust.  They almost give canned salmon away in grocery stores ($2-4 per can)

Hmmm, I just finished an almost biblical (unholy or demonic to say the least), unscheduled 3-4 day purge/forced fasting.  I thought it was just the reacquainting of the local high bacteria/hygiene habits and local chow/water.  It does end....????

Wow, "comfort foods".  This thread got me thinking/reminiscing/day dreaming.  The grey matter went through a full throttle self interrogation.  I love food, appreciate it, internally debate the experience: the great, the good, the bad the ugly.  I might not order it (again), but I'll eat it.

Interesting how resources drastically alter your immediate "comforts".  What's in the fridge, what's available at a local market/grocery store, what restaurants are conveniently accessible.  Back "home", comfort food was a mile high smoked meat with a half sour kosher dill, and a pile of fries (chips), or a massive medium rare rib steak, baked potato smothered in sour creme and chives with a huge Caesar salad.  Simple hamburgers and sausages on the barbecue...safe enough to eat medium rare?   A homemade caesar salad dressing made with a raw egg, fresh garlic, olive oil, an anchovie, etc...and safe to eat.  Wine...(it's a food group yes?)

Now, arriving home (LOS) from a project surrounded by beach, for hundreds of miles in all (well, 3.5/4) directions....my kingdom for simple slice of crispy bacon and a fresh salad that includes some form of lettuce.  Yeah, apparently my comfort foods have temporarily changed.

...and I'm extremely thankful for the choices available locally today.  Thankful that someone long ago, tripped over a bucket of rotting fish, and grandpa Somchai's sharp smelling toes, went up the chimney with him.

Happy Friday!

17 hours ago, CanuckThai said:

No worries, the newest tourism initiatives, has this sorted.

 

Seriously though, many water technology companies have the ability to roll in, with RO desal "trains" in sea containers.  Easy to ink a temporary contract to supply as much potable or drinking water as required to supplement, until someone pulls the trigger on a permanent sustainable solution.  Not cheap, but cheaper than losing the majority of the tourism golden egg...

I flew home (to Thailand) from an overseas project, for Christmas/New Years.  Arrived on the 24th, flew myself and the wife out for a vacation on the 25th (Europe/Dubai).  Yes, the hotel chief grand puba is correct: online access to vacations and interesting destinations is quick and easy.  Easy to compare, review....and pull the trigger.

8 Thai arrival/departures were me and the wife in a 2 week period. 

Money spent on Thai hotels: zip

Money spent on Thai Airlines: nada

Money spent on Thai restaurants: zero

Money spent on Thai shopping spree: nope

My wife was shocked at how well she was taken care of, on the foreign carrier we used and how polite people were throughout our adventure.

I'll never understand why they allow a perp, to wear a helmet in the police station.

1 minute ago, thaitero said:

So these outside fixers, Can they arrange appointment or no ?

If yes how much ?

They are trying hard to scrape any business they can.  Now with the appointments, and visa seekers 100% prepped, the fixers have resorted to "I'll book your appointment for you" (for a price).   They can arrange the appointment, but the cue still exists, meaning your appointment may be weeks down the road.  I had the same thought Monday morning: pay whatever price, to get an appointment "now".  Not doable (as far as I know).

39 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You would of been a getting a non-o visa since a retirement visa does not exist. It was mentioned in several topics that an appointment was needed for a non immigrant visa application.

Did you have a police clearance and a medical certificate that is required to apply for a non-o visa based upon being 50 or over for retirement.

Thanks U-Joe.  For myself, my 90 day non-o is based on marriage.  Not booking an online appointment, was my oversight.  I missed (bypassed) the details in thread topics, discussing the necessity of the online appointment.  As mentioned, I thought appointments were only neccessary to resolve Visa "issues" at the consulate (which semi made sense).   As far as I can tell, no one is entering the consulate without the "appointment".  Thai's seeking consulate assistance may be the exception.

21 minutes ago, bubblehead said:

Thanks did you need the original Marriage cert, house book and ID card.

Do you need to show money in the bank?

A printed scan (or picture) of the docs required is accepted.  As far as financial docs, I'm not sure if it is a requirement,  but the HMC consulate took what I had (CDN and Thai bank statements), in the stack of docs I handed the consulate ladies.  All went smoothly, no issues.

1 hour ago, BertM said:

Many people in their right mind keep that much and more in cash reserves for normal operations & emergencies. I keep more than 800k in Thailand for my extension renewals and for my Thai wife to use in case I pass away until my estate is settled. I am happy with the ~2% interest on my 800k. I also keep a minimum of $25k in USA in my checking & savings for normal operations, paying bill's, etc., and i also have $500k in CDs and $2MM more in stocks for a 80/20 stock to cash portfolio mix with the rest in real estate investments.

From a retired certified financial planner, CFP.

Sounds nice.  I keep a couple (3) months worth of operating cash, and a 50k (CDN) line of credit in case of an emergency.  Every other satang goes towards investments/retirement/(RSP).  I'm not retired yet....

3 hours ago, mlkik said:

I keep 800,000 baht in a Thai bank for my retirement extension and the interest rate is as good as the rate if I kept it in a UK bank.

No argument, but that is part of the point.  Who in their right mind (back in our home countries), would park the equivalent of 800K baht in a bank, to basically lose against annual inflation?   No significant gain, no tax incentive, nada.   A reasonable investment (or brokerage) can almost guarantee a safe X points above inflation or X% over interest rates at a bank...

An annual burning of 20 baht bills for a humdinger of a bbq, would give a better roi than parking 800k here.

You must have a picture of some ID (pp, DL, heathcard, etc) on your phone or online somewhere, when you've applied for visa (or something)....  

I'd find any hotel in your price range with pool and a few amenities.  Someone recommended being near the river, good idea.  The night market, restaurants, and other travelers may offer the diversions necessary to survive a long stay in Vientiane.  Many local interesting day tours are available as well

24 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

what? cut the agents out? illegal!

...yip, well that's my point.  A co-op with it's own agents, connections, network and funding.  Some farangs will make a return on their investment, some will utilize the resources in times of need.  Whatever side of the table, it would be black and white contracts, same as a bank (co-op).  A dozen board members, steering a ship of 5000+++ expats investment (depositing 800k), provides some serious clout (investment, immigration, representation)

Having coffee and making a few phone calls back home (Canada) early this morning.  One of my priorities was touching base with my retirement investment and tax guy.  Interesting banter about the goings on in Thailand, the election, economical climate, immigration hoops, etc.  I had described the necessity of the visa agent and finance shuffling, for some expats.   

I'm now pondering: Has anyone ever proposed a theoretical Visa Co-Op or VEIT (Visa and Extension Investment Trust)?  100, 1000 or 10,000 expats in a group, that finances and administers a Visa investment fund and provides immigration/barrister/financial services?   Basically a co-op and/or investment fund, for common expat Thai immigration services.

We're all aware of examples of common services:

-monthly deposits of foreign currency (or shot term loan top up amounts)

-annual proof of 4-800k (or top ups)

-assisting in immigration documents/disputes

-assisting in wills and real estate

-etc

Could a reasonable roi be achievable?  A reasonably safe investment?   Competitive group plan coverage for (mandatory) health Insurance?   Reliable local, group legal services for the expat community?   

No doubt there would be challenges and hurdles.... But would an Expat Co-Op be viable or of interest in LOS? 

Any thoughts...

7 hours ago, mojaco said:

Thank all of you for your replies and advice.  But right now my 800,000 is in a Fixed Deposit and that wouldn't be instantly accessible via ATM card.  So I guess it would be best to get her on her own "retirement extension" ahead of time to avoid any probably-illegal overstay problems.  Or if she would prefer my having the 800,000 in my normal single-owner savings account with her as the death beneficiary registered on that account, maybe that would work timely enough for her to access my 800,000 to use for herself.

 

But that last option wouldn't meet the pre-extension two month criteria would it?

 

Maybe it's been posted before, but in a situation as this, is it possible to have the account setup as joint?  Does immigration require the verified funds account (seasoned 800k), associated to only the visa holder/applicant?

Hua Hin to Vientiane?  Sounds like a painful exercise in futility.  Wouldn't it be easier/quicker/cheaper to do a run to KL? 

Not sure when you're planning your Vientiane trip, but I'm doing a run (driving myself) tomorrow....Khon Kaen to friendship bridge.  PM if a lift from Khon Kaen or Udon to FBridge might help.

There is a shampoo called Nizoral available here.  Works wonders on affected areas.  Cheap, and a successful alternative to "tar" shampoos and other irritated skin cleansing products.  It works...