silverhawk_usa

I received 9 books through Thai Post during the month of March.  Each ordered separately, primarily from the UK and Australia.  I just emailed a store and received a response yesterday from the UK which said "No problem shipping to Thailand".  Also, the wife has received her Lazada orders from China.  Just our experience, yours may differ.  ????  

EDIT; I thought this may be true, but I just searched to confirm.  Cargo flights are being allowed into Thailand.

"The ban does not apply to state or military aircraft, emergency landing, technical landing without disembarkation, humanitarian, medical or relief flights, cargo flights and any flights arriving in Thailand to repatriate nationals back to their home countries."

3 hours ago, Mama Noodle said:

 

You should clarify what you mean by 'immigrants' because there are tiers of 'immigrants' such as illegal aliens, legal immigrants, and citizens. 

 

 

The rules are meant for Americans who contribute legally to the economy and the country. If you married a foreigner and filed as such you have been getting a tax discount without paying anything into the system. 

I have lived in Thailand for 19 years. For those years I paid the same U.S. Income Tax as anyone living in the U.S. and without any of the deductions that most Americans could claim for one reason or another. I receive no direct benefits from this U.S. Tax. I do receive Social Security which is money I paid in, and I pay taxes on that also. I pay into Medicare which I cannot use outside the U.S.    I pay tax on any withdrawals from investments, and tax on my pension.  Fairly recently I qualified, as discussed already, to file as Married.  I am still paying every penny of tax that I would pay if living in the U.S.   So how can you say "you have been getting a tax discount without paying anything into the system."?

2 hours ago, TerryLH said:

That's not true.  There are plenty of non US citizens with SS numbers. 

I believe they are mandatory if working in the USA.  No obligation to turn the SS number in if they return to their country.

I stand corrected on that.  Depends on circumstances. Thanks.

58 minutes ago, cusanus said:

It certainly explains it if you make enough money for the ITIN to shave your tax, not much sense for those of us who get no tax break for getting a spouse an ITIN just because they thought it might be useful and who have no taxable income. Nor is there any applicable inheritance tax unless it amounts to many times more money than most of us have ever dreamed of. For blokes like you, it still seems outright unfair and racist. You are being punished for having a non citizen wife, but why? What the hell. 

Thanks for your thoughts.  I am by no means what would be considered wealthy. I am not referring to inheritance tax.  For a simple IRA or Mutual fund, a percentage will be deducted and paid to the IRS before your beneficiary can receive the funds. She will probably be able to have that tax refunded, but it won't happen without an ITIN. If she is a beneficiary on U.S. bank account, they will require a ITIN also.  I suggest, if your other half is to be a beneficiary of any funds from the U.S. (doesn't have to be married) get an ITIN before your death.  There are hoops to go through, and I wouldn't want my wife having to hire a lawyer and do it on her own.

As for being unfair or racist, I don't agree. The stimulus checks are intended to help the U.S. economy and get people (in country) back on their feet who need it.  I don't live there anymore.  That was my choice.  If we lived in the U.S. I wouldn't expect Thailand to be sending her checks.  Overall, the U.S. is quite accommodating for expats compared to many other countries. I wish all the best to those in the U.S. going through hard times as I do for those in Thailand.

35 minutes ago, cusanus said:

Did several comments disappear? Is it just me, or does it not compute that a Thai wife who has never been to the USA is NOT an immigrant? To get a jump on it, I filed a 1040X (amended return) as filing separately without my Thai wife's info. Then I took it to the Post Office and found that Thai Post does NOT ship to the USA anymore. That could be a serious problem in five weeks when we're supposed to mail in our Proof of Life forms or face termination of SS payments. So, it's looking like those of us with Thai wives may not get our $1200 payment, even if they're in no way immigrants.

I wouldn't worry about the Proof of Life. You receive a number of warning notices, and quite a few months to submit it. I once made an error  on my first, my second they said was never received, and the third went through.  I am sure the mail situation will be sorted before you have to worry.

I just watched a report from the U.S. in which the well respected doctor said; they are now finding significant lung damage and possible heart damage in patients who have successfully recovered. He didn''t say how severe the patients conditions may have been.  There is lot yet to be known before thinking of infection as a way to gain immunity.

Just north of Meechok, on the 1001, as you go over the small bridge, on the left. Walking distance from Meechok.

Bought a house this past November.  To change to my wife"s name:  Deposit for meter

2,000baht.

On 3/15/2020 at 12:24 PM, Mapguy said:

Chiang Mai Immigration Office requirements for conversion to NON-0 (retirement) status from tourist visas are apparently changing and becoming more onerous and time-consuming.  The office has previously issued a written list of requirements which mirrors the national requirements except for requiring at least 21 instead of 14 days processing time.  Attached in such a list dated when obtained.  What changes are being made, what new documents or requirements -- not simple errors of submission that need to be corrected -- are being demanded, and is such direction verbal from an officer or in written (and dated) form?

Conversion Requirements (Chiang Mai) 15FEB20.rtf 4.46 kB · 5 downloads

I'm not understanding this one:   " a letter from the bank stating the specific deposits labeled ‘FTT’ (foreign transfers) in your bank book are actually in your bank passbook (even though you and they can see them in your passbook) " What is the difference between Bank Book and Bank Passbook? 

As of this past Sunday the 118 was still under heavy construction, but traffic was moving.  You know you can take the 107 to Mai Sai.  A little longer, but a nice drive. Some scenic stops along the way, if you are into that. 

PharmaChoice in Chiang Mai would only sell 2 packs per day of 3m brand per customer.  No I wasn't hording.  I wanted one pack for my wife and one for sister in law flying in from NZ for family funeral.

On 1/11/2020 at 2:15 PM, canthai55 said:

I did not - as of 2558 - 5 years ago

I believe you.  Just related my own experience, 1 year ago.. 

16 minutes ago, canthai55 said:

Doi Saket

I was married in Doi Saket in November 2018.  I needed all the documents as stated above by MAF666 in post number 3.  I will say they were quite congenial and helpful. One lady who spoke English gave me all the requirements needed without alerting my wife to be. Also as someone already posted; Star Visa did all the government leg work on the Thai side.  The Amphur did not ask for two witnesses as their staff volunteered for that. 

Thank you, @jeffandgop.  It is good to see a succinct report based on actual experience.  I am in a similar situation, except I arrived on a O-A retirement in 2002.  If the insurance situation isn't more favorable when I renew my visa in October, I will do the same.  Good news for a change. 

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Im sure they could get him for riding on the footpath.

It was in an Esso station so it is probably considered private property and not enforceable. At least that is how it would be where I came from. I know that means nothing here. ????

They should count it.  Its and improvement over an average day.  World Health Org stats;  Daily traffic death toll in Thailand? " That's an average of 62 deaths every day, according to the WHO's 2018 report on global road safety -- just slightly fewer than the average deaths over the New Year period of 66 per day. "

For many years I simply typed up a short agreement, which my landlord and I signed, that said something to the effect that we agreed to continue the original contract as written for another year, and attached it to the existing lease agreement.  Of course that does not address your situation if you really want month to month.

3 hours ago, jacko45k said:

How does one do that, or is it peculiar to Firefox? Often wondered why I have to go through all that detail each and every time!

For Firefox instructions go here.........https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/control-whether-firefox-automatically-fills-forms

  I don't use chrome much, but I see under "settings" they have an Autofill selection listed.

48 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

 

Web or mobile app?

I meant to state that and forgot.  On my computer using Mozilla Firefox.  I know Chrome also works.  I have autofill enabled, so it remembers my previous entries. I only need change the date.  Also, you may click on "Check Status" and it will not only show the current status but will bring up a list of your previous reports which are printable. You can do this at any time and is good if you happen to lose or misplace your report.  
Edit Added: Previously I had problems with the system, and learned from a different website that you can not apply online earlier than 15 days from your due date.  You will get an error message.

90 Day Report Today:  3 minutes online to complete form. Submitted 2:30PM. Received approval via email  5:05PM.

21 hours ago, nichopaulcnx said:

No problem, just ask your bank to print out all transactions and stamp, so easy !

In other words;  ask your bank for a statement.  At Bangkok Bank there is a small fee for this.  In my experience (17 years), for the posters above, a letter from the bank alone is not enough.  Imm still wants to see a bankbook or statement to show you did not drop below the required funds. I have also printed my own statement from my online banking and they accepted it.  Depends on their mood I guess.  They may also wish to see some sort or recent activity from an account.  A small withdrawal will work. BUT, make sure your bank letter and your account show the same balance upon submission to immigration.

I accidentally dropped a few thousand baht below 800,000 in my foreign currency account for a few days.  They caught it and wouldn't accept it.  Fortunately I had funds in a separate  savings account which made up the difference.  They then wanted to see that book (which I had with me) and then a SEPARATE letter from the bank for that account was required.

Your experiences may vary......