jimgilly

3 hours ago, Jdiddy said:

Sick of hearing about this stupid virus named after a rubbish beer

 

in 6 months it will be totally forgotten and people will be hysterical about whatever is in the spot light

People like you need to find that deserted island where you can make all the ignorant comments you want and no one will hear it.  Lives have already been lost and many more will follow so stop trivializing something that is much more than just a "stupid virus".

You can find some good information here from the New England Journal of Medicine.

https://www.nejm.org/coronavirus?query=TOC

Unfortunately, I don't think people really understand how serious this problem is.  It could go on for months on end and eventually infect much of the entire world's population and unless you live on a deserted island there is little you can do to avoid getting it. 

Let's just hope it doesn't become as lethal as SARS was.  If it does ...........

While waiting to talk to a MS rep, I just tried it again and it is now working.  Thanks for the replies

Today I went to check my Outlook (Hotmail) emails and when I hit the "Signin" button it didn't load my emails and all I got was  blank screen.  This happened on both the IE and Firefox browsers.  Is there an easy solution to fix this as I have no idea what to do at this point?  Thanks for the help.

The problem is there is a 5 day period where someone could have the virus and show no symptoms.  This means taking someone's temperature at an airport could be useless.  Here is a short video that explains it

https://www.zerohedge.com/health/martenson-risk-true-pandemic-higher-were-being-told

5 hours ago, FolkGuitar said:

 

Do you suppose that this pollution problem has just begun? That it hasn't been going on for generations? Not just years, but for generations?  Do you assume that another year or two is going to cause it to jump up and bite me?  These posts about Chiang Mai air pollution HAVE been going on for years. For as long as I've been a member of ThaiVisa, which is about 14 years. And I'm sure these posts will continue for the next 14 years, as people love to discuss how unhappy they can be. The air pollution certainly isn't going away. You might. Probably will. Or else just complain about something over which you have no control... again and again and again.

Listen, I used to live in CM but finally smartened up and realized living in one of the most polluted cities in the world wasn't a very bright idea. 

And saying people are complaining about something they have no control over is BS.  Most people can pull up stakes and move like I did or at least take off somewhere during the period where the air pollution is downright hazardous to your health. 

Then of course there are the athletic geniuses such as yourself who somehow believes he is impervious to toxic air that hospitalizes large numbers every year, often with respiratory and other serious health ailments. 

With the number of years you've been living in CM you're now tempting fate so don't be surprised when you become just another statistic.

On 12/18/2019 at 12:06 PM, ubonjoe said:

It depends upon the amount the transfer is.

Less than $2000 is $5 and over it is a $10 fee taken out by the branch in New York. Then a .25% fee with a minimum of 200 baht and a maximum of 500 baht here.

I'm a bit confused on "a minimum of 200 baht and a maximum of $5 here".  At 30 baht to the US dollar 200 baht is around $6.67 which I get but could you explain what the maximum of $5 is?

Right now I get my SS direct deposited into a US credit union.  I then would use a Visa debit card from the credit union to withdraw funds and they used to cover the 220 baht ATM fee and 1% Visa card fee bit as of 1 December no reimbursement of the 1% fee which amounts to about $15. 

Would the fees be less than $15 if I switch over and have my SS funds direct deposited into Bangkok Bank?  Thanks for the replies

Every indication is this is going to be another bad year for Chiang Mai, perhaps even exceeding last year. 

Anyone thinking about moving to CM should reconsider and those currently in CM should make plans to spend the next several months in a healthier climate or move out all together. 

42 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Whether a Thai notary will be accepted in US depends upon what they are for.

In many cases having them notarized to verify a signature on them can only be done at the US embassy.

He has had no problems with Thai notaries.  Finding one in Roi Et is.

Trying to help a friend who is looking for a notary public for a US document he needs to send back.  I know there are attorneys in Thailand who are notaries but not sure if there are any in Roi Et.  Anyone help would be appreciated.

Very interesting article I read that makes a good case ETs are already here https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-most-convincing-argument-for-UFOs-aliens-having-visited-Earth

Any areas in Roi Et city where the roads are still flooded? 

11 hours ago, DAN0 said:

personally i didn't find it polluted any more than any other small-mid size city...

An example of what I'm talking about

36 minutes ago, Gonzo the Face said:

and I thought it was only me, and I was just going to ignore it// Its called the god syndrome   Where that person sees faults in all others but not himself. Where he is always right and all others with opinions that differ from his are wrong and inferior.  But those with differing opinions are truly able to acknowledge that all others are entitled to their individual opinions and truly respect them for having one . Now having said all that..... does that description , perchance remind you of any senior high level politician in Washington ???

Hey John, second thought stay where you're at.  Just don't try to entice others to come to a place that will likely destroy their health and shorten their lives and that of their families.

Maybe due to all the years you've lived in CM you're brain is no longer allowing you to think clearly but don't endanger others by offering them long term residence in a city they should avoid.  Attacking me is pretty pathetic as I'm just providing sound advice based on the facts and reality of what is real.  If you think the air pollution is not a problem in CM put that in writing to anyone you rent to.  If you can't then stop promoting your business.  Either way you lose.  End of story.

1 hour ago, scottiejohn said:

That has to be the most insensitive and crass posting I have ever had the misfortune of reading anywhere on any TV forum, and that says something!

What a joke.  The most insensitive and crass posting you've ever had the misfortune of reading?  Seriously, grow a pair and smell the reality of what it is. 

All I did was offer some sound advice to someone who should take it seriously.  Hey, just stay put where you're at and enjoy your time in lovely CM and I'll wait to see what you're posting in about about 6 months time when people are talking about how unbearable the pollution is.  Get real.

If you were smart you'd sell the place, take the money and move to somewhere healthier. 

As someone getting up in age like yourself, not that healthy and who sticks around CM during the months of horrendous air pollution, do yourself and your family a favor and get out while you can. 

Also, you're not helping other seniors who likely have health problems by providing accommodations and advertising they stay long term in CM.  Bad advice and not something that should be recommended.

Of course, this post will be trounced on by those that are long term residents who think CM is an ideal place to live and the bad air for half the year is nothing to worry about.  All of you are in denial and many of you will pay the price for it.  Let's hear the comments.

21 hours ago, XLance said:

Just did my extension this morning, it's much better than Promenada in many regards (it wasn't that hard to be better).

 

It's no longer necessary to arrive at 5am to get a decent spot in the queue. I came at 6:40, I was second (and somehow was interviewed first), but I could have come at 8:30, I would have been 3rd. By ~10am, it was number 5.

 

However, there are a few things that still causes issues or are good to know.

 

Monday at the opening is a minor delay for two reasons: first, they have their flag-raising ceremony, anthem, etc. and small speech from their boss, so although some start working at 7am, they all stop at 7:45 to only start again at 8:10/15.

Other reason is that following 'their' requirements, you would only be able to submit your bank statements after the first bank opened as they want an update from the same day.

 

Anyway, I had all my documents ready, according to the checklist* I collected from them in March, in 2 or 3 copies, hand written with a blue pen etc. Since the checklist is different in Thai and in English, you are left guessing which one is the right one for several items.

Of course, since it's not my first time, I had variations of the same document and also had things not on the checklist but that they would definitely ask such as visa, previous stamps and TM6. Some of the forms have changed (same same but different) so I had to refill them on the spot.

 

Then they ask for things I didn't have copies of: my last 90-day notification (lucky I did the last one there and not online), an updated book bank from the same day (it was updated the evening before ???? ), and my most recent TM30 because my TM30 didn't match my arrival date in Thailand, and that normally I should have a new one...whatever....it didn't make sense in English, it didn't make sense in Thai, and after asking her exactly what she wants, she dropped it, while asking us why we didn't arrived more prepared ???? , and also complaining why the documents are not in the order that she wants them to be (they were in the order of the checklist). I guess it's Monday morning for everyone...

 

Without a run to a bank to update the documents, and a photocopy of the 90-day notification, I would have been out by 8:40am.

 

So it's definitely better, but government officers keep having these habits of making sure it doesn't go smoothly by having those unreasonable requests (I say that because I'm dealing lately with the ministry of public health as well, where specific officers have different requests which are in no official requirement lists, and sometimes, very very subjective).

 

 

When I lived in CM I first used the marriage visa option but later switched to the retirement option as I couldn't put up with the nonsense we got each year when doing the extension.

The final straw came around the 5th year or so when we were told one document for my wife we had been using all along was no good and I had to draw a map of where we lived.  I flatly refused to draw the map and said we were not going to travel across the country to get a document that was ok in the past and should have been no problem except they wanted to make it one. 

I then asked the lovely lady at immigration what if I switched to a retirement extension since I had the funds in another bank account.  She said oh that would be great so I went to the bank, got another bank letter, came back and my extension was okayed and  stamped within 5 minutes.

Moral of the story is they don't want you here, at least in CM, to be on the marriage visa.  Makes no sense but then again, what does.  Unfortunately it looks like harassing people with the marriage visa will continue and if you qualify and have the funds, go the retirement route or expect the unexpected when you renew each year.

I was scanning the Isaan forum posts and saw that since Sunday there have been 77 views and not a single person provided the OP with an answer to his question when I think it is quite reasonable to believe several of you could have.  IMO this speaks volumes about the expats living in Roi Et if no one can take a minute or two to help another expat out. 

Sorry OP I wish I had the answer but I hope you enjoy your time in Roi Et in spite of the fact you can't get a simple answer to a simple question.

Someone recommended Patricks (?) but wasn't sure on how to get there.  Anyone know about this place and have directions?

Thanks

Going to be in Roi Et for a couple of days and wonder where I might meet an expat or two.  Did a google search but didn't find much.  Anyone know where to go for a good meal, a cold beer and maybe have a chat?

Thanks