Etaoin Shrdlu

Although this is marketed as a pre-paid card for use while traveling, it will work within Thailand as well, both online and at merchants that accept Visa: https://www.scb.co.th/en/personal-banking/cards/prepaid-cards/planet-scb-card.html

If the pre-paid card balance isn't sufficient to cover a submitted transaction, the transaction will be rejected, keeping your bank account safe from being drained if the card number is hacked or compromised. Safer than using a debit card, especially for online purchases.

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

Spoken like a guy with 88 in its signature. Rather telling, yes?

Trump's initials = 4:20

Same thing happened to blacksmiths, tack makers and stablehands early in the last century. 

The lines for Thai passport holders at Suvarnabhumi have used automated gates for many years now, but there is usually one manned desk on exit and several on entry. 

I think most of the aftermarket head units available here with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay have only 7 inch screens. 

If you want a really large screen, you will likely have to go with a tablet and a windshield/dash suction or vent mount.

I have tried using Waze as an alternative to Google Maps on my iPhone and it does have some features that Google Maps does not, but I've gone back to Google Maps.

We had to replace our license plates for this reason.

We took the car to the DLT with the blue registration book and registered to get the replacement plates. We were contacted a few weeks later to come back to the DLT to get the replacement plates. We went back  with the car and removed and turned in the faded plates and were given the new ones to affix to the car.

I don't think there was a charge for this because the fading was due to defective paint and not damage to the plate.

49 minutes ago, AcuDoc said:

What if I had direct deposit my social security check into BB NY and just use an atm card from that account to withdraw baht when in Thailand for my living expenses... I am not depositing or transferring money into Thailand...

Bangkok Bank's New York office isn't licensed for retail banking. You won't be able to set up an account with Bangkok Bank's New York office.

You can open an account at a Bangkok Bank branch here in Thailand and set it up so that your SS payments are routed via the NY office directly to your account here. Or, better yet, simply have the funds sent directly by the SSA to your account here in Thailand. It then would not need to be a Bangkok Bank account as this can be set up with any Thai retail bank.

1 hour ago, Captain Monday said:

 

I'm sure that fact has cured any remaining antisemitism that once existed among the Emirati population

 

Now I have met people who had worked at Emirates and I told them the story about the application. There have been a lot of American expat pilots for years in the Gulf and supposedly even one of the chief pilots there, which is an elite management position, was a Jewish American guy and "everyone knew".

 

So basically it was OK, if living as a closet case.  Do you understand how odious that sounded?

Since Emiratis are Arabs, and therefore semites themselves, it would be strange for them to be anti-semitic.

But in my time in the UAE I did hear Emiratis make anti-Jewish statements, so, yes, I understand the extent of their anti-Jewish sentiment and I find it deplorable. Many also have contempt for atheists.

4 minutes ago, Captain Monday said:

20 plus years ago I filled out the online pilot application for Emirates based in the so called "tolerant" UAE.

 

In the personal detail section there was a drop down to select one's religion. I don't remember if it had none or atheism, probably not

but the drop down included every religion I have ever heard of from Buddhism to Christianity to literally  Zoroastrianism.

 

Every Single Religion, except one. 

Dubai now officially has a synagogue.

2 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

The Saudis spent a lot of effort removing any traces of female skin ( apart from faces ) from magazines ( with black marker pen ) and not allowing any reference to Christianity in music, so you can imagine my delight when a popular western singer's album ( on tape ) was found to have a song about Crusaders giving the locals a hiding. They obviously missed that one.

The female form, ads for booze, articles about Israel, articles about Saudi, and more, caused the censor to pull out the black pen. Sometimes the International Herald Tribune would have entire pages missing or simply wouldn't show up at all.

Is it the Nariphol tree?

She would need to be a US citizen or green card holder in order to claim spousal or survivor's benefits under your SS record.

I visited Khao Phra Viharn a couple of times back in the previous millennium.

At the time, there was a downed helicopter of Soviet make that had been used by the Khmers Rouge attesting to their use of the site as a refuge. There were also signs warning not to venture away from the temple area due to landmines. I think the Cambodians have removed the helicopter, but am not sure about mine clearance.

A bit off the beaten track for most foreign visitors, but popular with Thais. I'll visit again if/when the gate is reopened.

I was going to write a response to this post, but I can't remember what I was going to write.

Bob, with such strong ties to Thailand, I wonder why your haven't gone for Thai citizenship.

Then you could lecture foreigners about how they don't understand Thainess.

28 minutes ago, retarius said:

Thanks Ralf, I'll try it.

Looks like possibly another layer between the policyholder and the insurer:  Mrkumka -> Roojai -> Krungthai Panich Insurance.

5 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Please name a few - thanks. Moving myself later this year.

I knew the people who ran Transpo back in the day. I think they sold the company some years ago and it is now called Asian Tigers. I am quite sure they offer insurance to their customers. I don't know which other companies do, but it is common practice for professional removals companies, both for local and international relocations.

Perhaps an internet search on "removals companies Thailand" or something similar would be of help. I apologize for not having more specific and up-to-date info as it has been many years since I arranged this type of insurance program for a removals company.

2 hours ago, Henryford said:

Just go with Roojai on line. My premium 6k for 1st class. Why use a broker?

Roojai is a broker.

Roojai is partially owned by Krungthai Panich Insurance and, unless things have changed recently, the only motor policy Roojai can offer is one from KPI.

If you wish to stay with AIG for your motor policy, you'll want to find a broker that has a distribution agreement with AIG Thailand. Perhaps you could contact the AIG call center and ask which brokers they work with in CM that cater to expats,

Tumi is probably a bit higher quality than Samsonite, but I think it also commands a higher price.

Marin is correct. If you want real Samsonite, Central Department Store is the place to look.

The branch in Seacon Square on Srinakarin Road has a large selection and we were referred there from the branch in Mega Bang-Na where the stock was limited. The main store on Chidlom probably carries a large selection, too.

Tenants' insurance is available from any number of insurers in Thailand, but you would need to take out an annual policy and it probably won't cover your property while it is being moved by the moving company.

If you have high-value items or specialized equipment that is difficult to repair or replace, you would probably have to declare them specifically on the application form. Insurers may or may not agree to cover them if they are very expensive or very difficult to repair or replace. 

Some of the more professional moving companies may have agreements with insurance companies to offer insurance to their customers for their goods being moved.

I wonder whether he is closely related to the Ruparelia family that has extensive business interests in Uganda and elsewhere. If so, his family is wealthy. Not sure why he would work as a receptionist, though.