F Groenen

Ask for CEA test with your blood work. This is an indicator of bowel cancer. Not included in the standard blood tests. There are also AFP (liver), CA19-9 (digestive) and PSA (prostate) indicators. Still nothing safer than colonoscopy every five years. I started at 40, since both parents passed away from cancer. The cost can vary a lot and price may not include all services, leading to surprising high bill afterwards. Shop around as the procedure is the same everywhere.

We have a Ford Ranger XLT 2x4 since 2018. Great truck with 2L diesel and 10-speed auto transmission. Made in Thailand and no problems. We selected the Ford over the Toyota for less plastic use in interior and positive reports by two friends with Rangers. Love the comfort of 4 doors and the flexibility of the pick-up bed.

See if you qualify for Long Term Resident (LTR) Work From Thailand visa. https://ltr.boi.go.th It might be a perfect fit.

I was using InstaRem for past 4 years, but they have become problematic. They 'require' all sorts of documents now, with slow and lacking support. I switched to Wise and found them to be the same cost without the hassles and good support.

I have no problem with anyone smoking weed, but please do it in your private residence so that I don't have to breathe the stink when I go out. Yes, it stinks to us non-users and makes some of us vomit. Far to often do I have to leave a public space, since someone feels they have the right to puff anywhere they want. Please respect others.

I did the same in 2010, on visa exempt. But this only seems to be accepted at Bangkok Bank main office in Silom. I did not have a certified copy of passport, but things may have changed.

Check BYS https://www.bys.ac.th Has International school in Bangkok. Bilingual schools in Bangkok and Hua Hin. We pay 80K/semester in Hua Hin.

I had a Colonoscopy and Gastroscopy at Bangkok Hospital 5 years ago in Hua Hin. The 'package price' was 45K, but after all the additional charges they conveniently left out of the 'package' the whole procedure was over 60K ! Additional charges included doctor fees, anesthesiologist, room charges and more.Since then I avoid Bangkok Hospitals, they offer great service but are more interested in charging as much as they can get away with.

To add to your rant, even working for a large foreign company, the LTR-WFT is not safe. The large company can be held liable for having an employee in Thailand with all legal and tax implications. The BOI is refusing to document that the foreign company is not liable with a LTR-WFT employee in Thailand.

Sadly, the Thai authorities have not made rules for digital nomads and them working from Thailand remains illegal. Even the LTR-WFT visa does excludes 95% of digital nomads and for those that do qualify for LTR-WFT, they put their employer at risk of Permanent Establishment rules. Hopefully these issues will get addressed soon and we will have a legal Digital Nomad community in Thailand, contributing to Thailand.

I have been with AA Insurance 4 years. They provide insurance for foreigners (foreigner owned). www.aainsure.net No hassle insurance. I have not had a claim so cannot comment on their response, but I have heard it is good. Offices in Hua Hin, Pattaya, Bangkok and Phuket.

LTR visa's are issued for 5 years. At 5 years you can renew for a 2nd 5 years, (currently) it says 'no cost'. But qualifications will be checked and you likely need to have the 800K in the bank, (currently) no duration is specified.

I have a few more years before I can collect AOW. This is very useful details, thank you ardsong.

And the only way they would know is by you telling them ? I can't imagine the AOW coming for a visit to check.

How does AOW know ? Isn't it only because you had the marriage registered in NL ? How would one un-register a marriage in NL ? Does that require divorce papers ? How official/legal are those Thai divorce papers ? Does anyone have experience of un-registering a Thai marriage in NL ?