mrmillersr

_{Are you thinking of moving to the province or the town?}

Not sure as I haven't been down that way yet. I'm open and appreciative to any input/suggestions from anyone who is familiar with the area.

_{The big worry is that this virus mutates where it can be easily spread by a sneeze or cough by someone who has it. If that happens you are looking at a pandemic that could wipe out a large part of the population. Typical kill ratio can be around 40% so if you get it there's a good chance you're days are numbered. Scary stuff.}

What a load of crap and panicking, another so-called specialist on TV!

From the site medicinenet.com:

<In general, the majority (about 90%-95%) of people who get the disease feel terrible (see symptoms) but recover with no problems, as seen in patients in Mexico, the U.S., and many other countries.>

With that in mind a montly occurrence of 10 ill people in the whole province of Udonthani, even 4 deaths in 4 months in a 1.6 million population (0.00025%) is no reason to panic and to scare people. So I understand the authorities to treat this as a not abnormal occurrence.

For those who develop symptoms: treat it as you treat a flu: stay home, no work, no school, no socializing, get rest, take vitamins C and D and after one week it's over...

If people are scared, take a flu shot, you will get sick for 100%, but not the flu, just sore throat, headache, fever, vomiting diarrhea...

Let it mutate like the strain in 1917 and get a case of it. Then let's see if you will still will be calling it a load of crap.

_{The big worry is that this virus mutates where it can be easily spread by a sneeze or cough by someone who has it. If that happens you are looking at a pandemic that could wipe out a large part of the population. Typical kill ratio can be around 40% so if you get it there's a good chance you're days are numbered. Scary stuff.}

Thanks very much for all that.

It sounds as I thought, basically the one time qualification process for life under current rules, as long as you maintain your status (such as keeping your CD deposit going, etc.)

That residency thing even though it's quite a bit more of a hassle to get in the first place compared to Thailand's annual extension process, is definitely a part of Ecuador's appeal to expats. Of course, they can change the game any time they want just like anywhere.

Police report for residency

The residency application process is tedious but not all that difficult. It's really all a matter of getting your ducks in a row, dotting i's and crossing t's. Don't let that put you off. If you are serious about it, I would check with the Ecuadorian Embassy in Thailand about whether a police report from Thailand would work for the visa application. You'd then probably get a certified translation from Thai into Spanish and have the Ecuadorian Embassy in Thailand sign off on it, I would have thought. One other catch is it has to be done - getting the application in, within 90 days, that's how long the police report is usually valid for.

For anyone into checking out Ecuador some more, have a look at Gringo Tree: http://gringotree.com/ for more local info, including residency visas and such. It's kind of like a very crude version of this forum - though there is no forum to speak of, more like a bulletin board. Seems like all the Gringo expats in Ecuador check in there.

Chiang Mai air quality

Back to the original thread of comparing Chiang Mai to Ecuador, comparing apples with apples, I would say Cuenca is a close match as a city in terms of size and topography. Cuenca has population of 500k, set in mountains with 4 rivers running through it, at 8,000 ft altitude. The air quality here is very good, except when you are out and about in the streets - buses and trucks belch out horrendous black fumes. As I'm contemplating a "reverse move" heading for Thailand, I'm a bit concerned about the air quality I've been reading about in Chiang Mai, as I came to Ecuador partly to escape the chemtrails in the US.

Is this only a seasonal concern from slash and burn? Is the air quality ok the rest of the year? How bad is it? Not as bad as Beijing I hope. I know there are other threads on this but just want a quick take.

It's bad enough that I left after living here for 5 years. If you do some more reading and research you will see high levels of pollution can occur anytime from December thru April,

As an example, last year in January, 6 out of 30 days had PM 2.5 levels that exceeded Thai standards, which are very liberal to say the least. Even limited exposure to elevated PM 2.5 levels can have a serious impact on one's health so this is not a trivial matter. It's also been found there is a direct correlation for increased cardiovascular disease and cancers for ever 10 ug/m increase in PM 2.5 levels. While you won't find the PM 2.5 levels for Chiang Mai posted anywhere, a former study determined the average levels of PM 2.5 to be around 75% of what the PM 10 levels were. That being the case puts the PM 2.5 levels in Chiang Mai at very hazardous levels for quite a few days each year. Way too many to make it a desirable place to move to in my opinion.

My advice is if you are concerned about your health find another location in Thailand to live and just visit Chiang Mai when the air is cleaner. if you do decide to come, you may start to rethink how life was in Ecuador and long to return.

here is one cost comparison for the two places... I once considered Edcuador, along with Panama, Brasil and Mexico.... for my own reasons, i chose thailand

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Cuenca

You would need around 2,140.42$ (69,359.99฿) in Cuenca to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with 56,000.00฿ in Chiang Mai (assuming you rent in both cities). This calculation uses our Consumer Prices Including Rent Index.

Indices Difference Consumer Prices in Cuenca are 16.46% higher than in Chiang Mai Consumer Prices Including Rent in Cuenca are 23.86% higher than in Chiang Mai Rent Prices in Cuenca are 51.67% higher than in Chiang Mai Restaurant Prices in Cuenca are 13.28% higher than in Chiang Mai Groceries Prices in Cuenca are 30.74% higher than in Chiang Mai Local Purchasing Power in Cuenca is 30.58% lower than in Chiang Mai

I suggest you don't rely too much on that website for cost of living numbers as I've found them to be way off in a number of comparisons and highly inaccurate. More realistic figures are you can live in Cuenca with the same amenities as Chiang Mai for about the same expenditures per month.

Would recommend Ecuador over Thailand in a second and more specifically Cuenca over Chiang Mai. Main reasons for me - climate, people, food, culture with about the same cost of living numbers.

Only problem is it will cost you some serious pesos to fly over for a visit to decide if you like it so there are some major expenses involved unlike if you were considering somewhere closer like Cambodia or the PI. If you got the funds though, definitely worth checking out.

How about the ladies, Cuenca vs CM?

The devout Catholic ladies of Ecuador are very very different than the Thai ladies. And as to working girls, Thailand is a green fertile valley and Ecuador is a dusty desert. Also, when it comes to the care and feeding of an expat boyfriend or husband, Thai women are far superior.

You've never been to Ecuador have you?

I graduated from college in Ecuador and lived there for about a year (this was about 10 years ago). I can tell you Ecuador is so much better than Thailand in terms of people and culture. They are genuine and welcoming there and I made good friends with the locals. After living in Thailand for around three years I have almost an opposite feeling about the locals here.

Thailand is better on a superficial level in the sense that it has more conveniences, restaurant variety, etc. But people in Ecuador are so much better, it's just a better climate overall.

I speak Spanish fluently. While I wouldn't call my Thai fluent, I can have a conversation and read and write.

Exactly my perception as well. The Ecuadorians are sincere and friendly and along with the climate and culture Ecuador beats Thailand hands down.

Unless you have been to both Thailand and Ecuador, I don't think you can make any legit comparisons between the two. I do know the people I have met who have had the opportunity to spend time and visit each country overwhelmingly prefer Ecuador. While I would put Ecuador in 1st place as a location to consider for retirement, Thailand wouldn't make my top 10 list unless a low cost of living is your only criteria. An okay to visit but definitely not somewhere I would ever consider living again.

It would take you a week to find a group (of locals) this ugly in CM.

Care to share your photo?

Beauty also comes from within and the Ecuadorians are truly beautiful people in more ways than one. Ask anyone who has spent time in both Thailand and Ecuador which one they prefer overall and there should be a clear winner. A clue for you since you probably need one, is the answer isn't Thailand.

For anyone who has applied for a residency visa for Ecuador who lived in Thailand before then, can you explain (in detail if possible) how you got the fully apostled police clearance form from Thailand that was accepted by Ecuador immigration? This seems to me to be quite difficult. Some good news on that, the report can now be as old as 6 months (changed from 3 months). This specialized info is not readily available from Ecuador oriented sites as so few people come there after living in Thailand. There's plenty of clear info on doing this for the U.S., but these reports are required for any country you've lived in for FIVE YEARS before applying for residency in Ecuador.

How about getting the clearance form completed at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters in Bangkok and then taking it to the Ecuador Consulate in Bangkok.

Got the funds...

Leaving Thailand on Thursday 3 April...

Heading to Central and South America looking for Plan B.

Will check out Cuenca when we get to Ecuador.

Planning on staying at least one month to check things out.

Thanks for your input.

If you like warmer weather and the beach check out Manta which would be my choice.

Would recommend Ecuador over Thailand in a second and more specifically Cuenca over Chiang Mai. Main reasons for me - climate, people, food, culture with about the same cost of living numbers.

Only problem is it will cost you some serious pesos to fly over for a visit to decide if you like it so there are some major expenses involved unlike if you were considering somewhere closer like Cambodia or the PI. If you got the funds though, definitely worth checking out.

Won't be long before someone decides to burn the sign as they just can't light enough fires as I think they consider it an annual official pastime.

Seriously, If it was just an annual annoyance it would be one thing but these idiots are causing serious physical harm to literally thousands and as another poster said, they don't give a rat's ass. This is a good way to judge someone by their actions or inactions towards another and it does not speak very well for the locals and justifiably so. Time to call it like it is and replace Land of Smiles with Land of Smoke, Land of Smog and Land of Stupidity. Adios amigos.

I lived here for nearly 9 years before moving to another country last year and am only back to clear up a few loose business ends I had to take care of. Then I am out of here like a bat out of hell, with no plans to ever return.

Reading the posts I can see nothing has changed. Still got a bunch of miserable aholes attacking anyone for saying what they think if it doesn't agree with their narrow minded views which are usually wrong..

Anyway Goforit if you are reading this, I wish you the best and know you are in the minority of those who have the intelligence and smarts to call it like it is and make the right moves when you have to.

If you change from the Premier plan (what I currently have) and go with the 590 baht plan do you need to bring your router in to their office to have it reset?

No. I've gone back and forth a few times and all you need to do is contact them and they will give you a password good for 2 weeks to try another plan before you commit to it. Once you find the plan you like they will change over the billing.

Also, one thing that improved my Internet connection significantly was when I threw the cheap router they provide customers with into the trash and picked myself up a Cisco router at Panthip Plaza. I got the newest Cisco Linksys with WiFi for under 2K Baht and the difference in the connection is unbelievable.

Specifically, where do you go to get the 3bbb password in order to try out the 590 baht plan? Is it the office they have at Airport plaza or some other location?

Thanks

If you change from the Premier plan (what I currently have) and go with the 590 baht plan do you need to bring your router in to their office to have it reset?

The only ones who don't believe the US government was behind 9/11 are the ones who haven't read the mountain of concrete evidence that supports that conclusion.

"Concrete evidence".That's a good one!

Glad it takes so little to amuse you. Get a shiny object, put it on a string and you will probably be entertained for hours.

Who cares about photographic evidence. It would only make matters worse. A pic of him with blood all over and a huge hole in his head. Did they screwup with the initial report? Yup. Were they lying? No, only trying to get the info out fast...which bit them in the butt. We are not taking Obama's word for this, we are taking the word of his entire cabinet. A group of people way smarter than any of us here on TV. God bless the team that put their lives at risk to get the job done. If he even fliched, and I was there, he would have been shot also...who knew if he had a pistol hidden, a suicide vest, whatever. This was a very dangerous man.

Is there mis-information? Possibly. Probably. Who cares. As long as this monster is gone. Fantastic. He's killed enough Americans, British, Muslims, etc. Not worth shedding a tear over for sure. Blame should be focused on the Pakistani's for not knowing what was going on. Can you imagine him hiding in your country only meters away from your most prestigeous military academy? Think about that....

Dear lord you actually believe all this horseshit you are saying?

http://www.prisonplanet.com/top-us-government-insider-bin-laden-died-in-2001-911-a-false-flag.html

Please read and watch the videos, JACK RYAN (the real man the character is based on) even says the 9/11 was perpetrated by Bush and that Bin Laden was dead over 9 years ago. Why are you so easily lied to?

The only ones who don't believe the US government was behind 9/11 are the ones who haven't read the mountain of concrete evidence that supports that conclusion. And if that is the actual truth, then Osama Bin Laden was no more the mastermind behind 9/11 than Donald Trump. What we have here is basically another Lee Harvey Oswald and Saddam Hussein scapegoat to cover up the actions of the real culprits. Plain and simple.

Has anyone ever stopped to wonder why it took nearly 10 years to get him and why there hasn't been a single successful terrorist attack attributed to Bin Laden or al Queda in the US since 9/11?

If anyone thinks the US was incapable of getting him before this or entrance into the US is so difficult and security so high, I'll spin you another tale. One more believable at least than the crap you've all been fed and many of you still think is the truth.

Did you ever open up that new location that was supposed to be easier to find? If you did location and if not when where will it open?

My brother called me the other day and said he had some bad news for me. Chiang Mai had been mentioned only second to Ecuador as the most popular Expat places. Just like Las Vegas, they have started counting your worth before getting off the plane, and they continued to build hotels as the need dwindled. The good ole stuff that made the place famous will soon be gone, and the traffic will get worse. The government needs to start playing fair, or I will be taking my business elsewhere.

Like to know where your brother got his source from. Seems a bit unusual how a city can be compared to a whole country for anything, never mind as a popular expat location.

I seriously doubt either of these places ranks as most popular for expats and would like to know if anyone has some stats on the actual top spots.

"The process causes me no problems at all,

1 extra trip to immigration for the approved stamp, no waiting in a queue

Home visit if they can be bothered, no advance notice, you are in when they call round or you aren't.

Once you have one marriage extension, as long as you can fulfill those exact same requirements each year, you can have extensions ad infinitum.

This post has been edited by sarahsbloke: Today, 09:07"

Just wait a little while longer and they will get around to you also. There is most certainly a bias against farangs who are here under the marriage visa. I was told by 3 different immigration officers I would be better off to do the resident visa, so whoever told you different, was the exception.

As far as raising the retirement visa requirement higher, there is probably just as good or better they will raise the marriage visa requirement. Just like other posters have said, if anything is out of line it is having the often single retiree needing more than the guy who is married with a family.

After 2 years on the retirement visa, I for one and a much happier camper every year when it comes time to renew.

It shouldn't take you long to figure out they don't like those who are here on the marriage visa. Every year they seem to come up with new and totally ridiculous requirements in order to get an extension.

I started with the marriage visa and then opted for the retirement visa, which they do like. Went from total aggravation to a breeze. If you qualify for the retirement visa and have the funds, you should consider switching over.