Thanks all for your replies.  I have an excellent English language instructor now teaching my wife.  Cheers!

27 minutes ago, Martin Gordon said:

Good morning ! My name is Martin from England. I've been teaching in Chiang Mai for 15 years to a variety of ages and nationalities though now focus mainly on adults. I'm waiting for my language school to reopen so at the moment I teach exclusively online.

I would be very happy to teach your wife English.

Regards

Martin

Martin,

I am interested in chatting with you.  It is evening here in Texas. We have 500mb Internet,  and before my wife joined me after my return to the USA,  we video chatted with no problem. 

I have about every messaging program you can think of. PM me and let's plan a time to talk. We are going on our after dinner walk now. 

Thanks,

Jack

Thanks for all the replies.  I'm reading them all. 

????????????

40 minutes ago, torturedsole said:

The first Thai lady I met for a date in LOS was very strong in understanding and writing English but couldn't formulate the words to speak the language.  I was bamboozled by her.  

Quote:

"That's where a fellow Thai with good English could prove beneficial.  I'm not touting my wife, by the way.

The majority of your ESL instructors are going to be English but a Thai with good English skills can revert to Thai to explain the intricacies.  This is important and something a non-Thai speaker can't fall back on".

I agree completely.  And it is fine to tout your wife. We can PM in that regards. 

And I understand "bamboozled". We were introduced by a Kiwi mate of mine in Bangkok on a double date.  There has been no one else since then for me.

It took months to get my wife back to the USA to be with me, and we have more immigration matters coming up,  but we are together and happy. 

It's about cocktail hour here. I'll check for a PM from you later. 

Cheers!

CJ

4 minutes ago, torturedsole said:

Why limit yourself to an ESL instructor?  My wife is Thai with degree in English language.  Lived in UK for over 10 years and could well imagine her being a better learning resource than an ESL instructor by a country mile.  

Hi,

Definitely not limiting ourselves.  We moved back to the USA, and have just not had any luck finding an instructor that we can hire to help my wife with her English,  but obviously,  online now days with Covid-19. 

Thoughts?

PS. My wife reads and writes English well, is a university graduate and a quick learner. But she really needs professional instruction to break through to very functional conversational English. 

Can anyone recommend an ESL instructor to help my Thai wife improve her English language speaking skills? 

I need an instructor that can teach online (Skype) in the evening in Thailand. 

Please PM me any recommendations and contact information unless you are comfortable sharing in the open.

Thanks,

CJ

This may effect those trying to get visas for their Thai wives to return to the USA.   It is unclear where this new Trump immigration policy will end up, or the exact rules and regulations,  but best to keep an eye on this.

Also, this is one more move where the USA is simply following the same requirements as many other countries,  and as required or proposed by the Thai government for  certain classes of foreigners wanting to live in Thailand, medical insurance is or in the future required because of reported medical financial demands on the host country. 

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/healthcare/trump-to-require-immigrants-to-get-health-insurance

8 hours ago, Jane Dough said:

Wow.

 

With all the secret service personnel that should add an extra million on TAT's tourist arrivals. 

 

Rooster

Great place for the Secret Service. Sure they will have fun.

The Secret Service's history of sex and alcohol scandals

https://www.cnn.com/2017/04/06/politics/timeline-secret-service-misconduct/index.html

16 minutes ago, SMEinBangkok said:

"Thailand customs allows visitors to enter Thailand with personal effects, the value of which does not exceed 80,000 Baht, without paying import fees as long as: 1) the items are specifically for personal or professional use; 2) the amount of goods are reasonable; and 3) the items are not subject to restriction or prohibition."

 

This is the next TM30-style debacle.  Personal effects means clothing, toiletries, phones, tablets, computers, etc.  80,000 baht is $2700 USD, roughly.  And notice the wording....essentially every single person they stop for a 'customs' inspection will end up owing money for bringing in their used computers, suits, etc. for use while visiting Thailand.

An intelligent post, and definitely on point.   We all travel internationally and are all accustomed to the declarations forms about what we can bring into another country.   Only in Thailand,  as I and many others expect,  will this be abused to essential extort more fines and money from foreigners returning or visiting Thailand. This is the never ending problem with Thailand.  They write a law or implement a system that by it's very nature is going to be abused by the Thai way of doing things.  Sad, but why would anyone who has lived in Thailand for any time expect different?

From the country that brought us "Magic Cards". At least we can find our luggage if the lights go out and it's dark. Lol

https://thethaiger.com/news/north-east/magic-cards-contain-dangerous-radioactive-materials

45 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

On the FARC news. This video reinforces my opinion that there is nothing yet about this to shake out settled expats there. 

 

 

Jingthing, 

I agree with "your assessment", not this guy giving his opinion.  I think maybe a good perspective is this. Last March when I was in CDXM, there was the normal,  regular alerts from the US State Department.  One was very specific, advising not to travel on a specific highway,  because of assault,  kidnapping and other threats that were taking place. 

Colombia,  I would venture,  may be similar.  What level of agression FARC actually brings to bare, and where, nobody knows right now.  Anyone who pretends to say it is all going to be peaceful,  is frankly,  full of it.  Nobody knows. 

Will it effect expats in Colombia? Maybe,  maybe not.  But when we look at Thailand and what has transpired over the last 10 months, who could have predicted that?

I simply think that the impact on the expatriate community will be of a similar paradigm.  Some farrang in Thailand had to leave because of financial difficulties.  The Aussies are really taking a beating now, and the Brits may not be far behind. 

And then we have thousands who the changes are of not importance.  Those with sufficient resources can just buy their life in Thailand,  unless something really changes as regards the way the expatriate community is governed by the Thai government.   

An American friend of mine put it bluntly to me a few weeks ago.  A direct quote from him is, "he does not care about other expats ". And in his mind, he just pays off the necessary people in power to fix it for him and his non Thai wife.

This is the ultimate dilemma, whether Thailand or Colombia.  If your insulated from whatever the conflict,  laws and conditions are, it's not a problem. 

The FARC may become a problem.  They may not. Paying attention to the news on the ground oneself is essential,  especially in today's society's.  

I'd probably take this guys report to heart about as much as I would a report from Thai TAT. 

10 hours ago, Jingthing said:

You beat me to it posting about that.

Yes, that's very concerning news about FARC. It's not particularly surprising though. I suppose developments like this will dissuade some people from considering Colombia as an expat destination and maybe it should. But I seriously doubt very many settled expats already there in places like Medellin are packing their bags. Yet.

 

Another way to look at this from a Thailand perspective. There has been a violent conflict within Thailand for many decades. It's mostly been focused in certain parts of South Thailand. I don't think very many  potential expats didn't move here or left because of that conflict.

 

Not saying they are the same thing, but just added for some perspective. 

Good perspective.  As with Thailand,  a lot  geopolitically be seen.  The next six months I think we be defining.....

Well, I probably shouldn't have commented on the TM30 debacle,  but the better part of reason got away from me.  Lol.  Back on track.  I'll let y'all know about Colombia once Rick and I get down there. And Jingthing,  I finally spelled it right! Only took 8 months.  Yikes....

4 minutes ago, Traubert said:

If it's any consolation, your 'gal' is quite happy.

 

So is Thailand.

Lol, did really think that lame comment was going to get to me.  At least you made me laugh....

Quick check in.  If I don't report for awhile,  I've not forgotten,  just busy.  I'm just grateful to have finally found a really nice home to rent a private room and bath.  Fully furnished,  four years old. The man who owned it is about 5 years younger then me.  That follows 4 months of staying in sleazy hotels until I could get this opportunity. 

I'm off to the gym now.  Oh, I've said before elsewhere on TV that what is going on is much part of a bigger story. That western (especially American) expatriates in Thailand don't even register as a piece on a chess board.  This report just drives the message home.

This world geopolitical chess match is just getting started.  None of us want to end up pieces in this game.   If lucky, mostly ignored. Finally able to start working effectively a new plan, get back in shape, save money and get back to a position of feeling somewhat in control of my direction.  Cheers all.

PS. Jingthing,  with a nickname like that, duh!  Your welcome in my world brother.  And I like girls.....

US resumes cooperation with Thai private sector....

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30374764

2 hours ago, RoadWarrior371 said:

The wealthy do not often need an exit plan, since homes are owned on multiple continents.  It is the poor pensioner that often leaves scorched earth behind them.

That my friend could not have been said any more perfectly. 

Just one other addition.  One of my biggest mistakes was trying to go from Thailand to Latin America.   It was just more then I could manage.   Coming back to the USA has been a challenge,  but I am finally on track to have some stability here and repair my finances. 

A friend of mine who lives in Las Vegas,  a few years older is considering moving to Columbia.  Just got off the phone with him, and we may go down together in December to explore and check it out.

I don't know how many of you remember back 7-8 months ago I started a topic about joining forces to move possibly to Cambodia.  I got hammered severely,  accused of being a homo, and more.

Folks, I'll say this again.   We don't have to face these challenges alone.  I have done so, but as with my old bro Rick from Vegas and I just talked,  we both recognize the value in working together.   Just something to keep in mind.  

PS. We are not getting younger and most governments don't really care, including our own.  If we don't help each other, who will?

1 hour ago, keemapoot said:

How wealthy is wealthy? It can cost millions for organ transplants, cancer treatments, long term assisted care, etc..

I'm thinking if self pay, even in Thailand.   Probably at least 2 million USA dollars on hand.

6 hours ago, Jingthing said:

To me it's a last resort. At least no visa required.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Hi Jingthing,

It's only my perspective,  but I think there is a very strong likelihood Thailand will follow most other countries in the near future,  and require both monthly pension income and a cash amount on deposit.  

I just don't think we are in for a more kind and accepting immigration experience in the future.   The ways of the past and the world are rapidly changing.  

I remember long ago when England and France started requirements for medical insurance.   Everything we are witnessing unfold in Asian immigration has already happened in other countries. 

Where is the real problem? It's our home countries not having reasonable systems to allow a decent life if on limited funds.

I'm afraid running to a foreign country for a better life may become a thing of the past.....