Bohemianfish

I think this is all anyone needs to know to see how well the country is being run in Thailand. Just jaw dropping.

10 years married, an eligible spouse (married and living in the USA for 5 years) can get 50% of spouse's SS when the eligible spouse is 67 (born after 1960) years old. Before that, it decreases, so when eligible spouse is 62, then they would get 70% of the 50%. Each month they wait, it increases a bit until they attain full retirement age (again, 67 at age 1960). So they don't get 50% at 62 of what you get. And the longer you wait, of course, it increases up to FRA to 67. 

So if you get $1,000 at 62, your spouse will get $1000*.5*.7 = $350. 

If the eligible spouse worked 40 credits (10 years, 4 quarters per year) and they they see that they would get more money for SS based on spouse's SS, then they can claim that.

If the eligible spouse divorces at 10 years and remarries, they will lose the SS (if they don't have their own.

My Thai wife is a US citizen and works. She' a couple of years off from the 40 credits. When she gets to 40, her SS won't be even close to mine. I plan to wait until 67 to get FRA. So at 62, she will get $___ * .5 * .7. She can wait, but I'm 10 years older than her and it's probably best for her to take it as soon as possible.

This whole situatio  is going to exacerbate the problem once word gets around with the Thailand pass. 

Things could have been so much simpler .

Fortunately, your wife isn't anti-vax.

My wife is Thai and we reside in the USA and all is pretty good, however as my wife says, people get Covid Crazy. We all get a little short at times, but keep it at water under the bridge. Sometimes, logic doesn't rule. We can find issues with anyone and anything and there are two choices: 1) get worked up about it or 2) don't. Better to laugh at the absurdities of life!

The science is out there. Fasting and cut the carbs and even some of the protein. Its about insulin resistance. Many types of fasting. 3 day, 2 day per week, intermittent fasting (eat in a 1-6 hour window each day). 

This is not true. Not all, because a lot of people will not get it. Some in-laws are refusing to get vaccinated. They said they will not. They are just plain afraid to get a vaccine.

All target groups of people who want the vaccine will get it. They say.

I would check Dave's ESL Cafe and reach out to schools directly.

If we sold here in the USA and bought in Thailand, which is probable, it would be a concern to move back to the area we presently live in (Seattle area). A lot of compromises. Prices are nuts now.

Same as before, but avoiding crowds and stores as much as possible. Every month feels different going through what's going these days, so better not to dwell on what's going on and roll with the punches. 

Walking, (lots of) reading, cooking, writing, photography, watching movies, local travel and camping. Activities of solitude in retirement (wife works - she likes to make money). 

It's been nice to slow down, live in the moment more, spend more time at home in activities of solitude...

Sounds like they plan to open Thailand rather quickly now, changing the narrative. Now that most of BKK is has been vaccinated. It could open to a great deal of whiplash as people expect things to take longer.

Wow, what a story. We live in the suburbs of Seattle and I was out for a Sunday morning run and someone (druggies?) took all of the large storm drain covers for about a mile stretch. Called 911 to report, they asked if I was okay. If it was any darker, someone could have fallen in. 

Always good to watch where you walk! Particularly in Thailand or where you least expect it!

Just doin' his job....???

Christ almighty. Whatever helps businesses and people to make money.

Interesting. I took takeout Chinese here in the Seattle area and you have to order food on phone and wait outside. Then they slide the food out through a compartment after you feed your money in. Taking no chances.

It was fine and the food was "fair."
 

9 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Received my first Pfizer shot; hardly any side effects, except feeling a bit sleepy the same day, and getting very slight and short headaches (barely noticeable) on the second day. I'm a bit worried that the vaccine was perhaps 'wrongly' handled or 'not working' due to being nearly expired. 

The second Moderna knocked us on our butts. First shot barely anything. Same for daughter with Pfizer.

Now US military members will have to take it. Many have not.

3 hours ago, SCOTT FITZGERSLD said:

well, mate, you leave in a country where most of the population are making 300-400 USD a month,

if they are lucky to get a job.

try to leave on this amount for few months and you will see how your mind starts drifting to

dark places.

We were looking at moving to Thailand next year, my wife is Thai. Things are off the table. She's been in a bit of a mood about things lately concerning the country. But we are in the States and she like it here. It's hard to find crime stats and increases in Thailand. It's hard to know what's really going on. We were looking at houses as early as last February, but not now. 

They are paid to say something. Anything. There you go.

Sounds like a game of "Kick the can."

Why wait?