Xin Loi

it is imperative that you hang on to the old passport and keep it safe. When you transfer the visa from one book to another, the new passport will only have a stamp, not a visa. Somewhere along the way after, the IO will ask for a copy of that visa from the old passport. UD IO pulled that trick this year on me when I renewed my visa extension this year. If you lose the original visa depending on your renewal schedule, you may be taking a trip to Laos and their Embassy there to get a NEW VISA.

I used to use a retirement visa and it was ok for awhile or un til the IO got to playing too many games. There is a whole list of visas available for use and we chose the Thai wife one, that has worked perfect for us.keep the 400K baht around if needed. Last year 6 months, this year two. paperwork the same but copies without dates are helpful. Wife does the actual visa, I do the signing. Easay peasy and I will continue to do so. retirement and others, they have too much control on what you can do.

I would much better like dealing with a person whom had taken a couple of tokes, than someone with a snootful of Lao Khao.

Fakebook has taken major hits in the last year, mostly in their deep pockets but it still hasn't slowed them down, one iota!

Keeping people in debt is the best way of controlling the masses. All nations do it and the banks love it. By 2011 the country was buried in debt that could not be repaid, by most of the borrowers.

My transfer at udon cost me 500 Baht too.

Then after a blast of the munchies and much needed needed laughter, I quietly fall asleep!

Udon T, always asks and sometimes surprises me with made up stuff, to check if it is still there.

No, no cheaper price in Thailand, be aware they are a mass product seller. if you need just one, go elsewhere. Benefits are rare, been shopping there for years, best one yet was a threesome of coca cola and some snickers bars. Did get two shopping bags last week, though.

Why not use an adhesive based mortar, like what is used to cement super block together. Found at Global, What to do, Big lot etc. in 5 lb bags.

This applies to everyone, local alike. A friend scammed online, had to pay 100K for an investigation.Still ongoing!

The problem IMO is lack of education and net smarts. The net sharks here, are very aware of the lack of it and catch many people every day. A friend of mine lost over 400K to these guys and most of them aren't hackers. What made it even worse to pursue it, they had to do the brown envelope thing too. I get many sucker bets every day and most of them come from social media. A simple call or email, a sob or BS story, a bank or phone account threatened, private information asked for and freely given, maybe even a little cash transaction, done deal. No hacker involved, if you get my drift.....

The fines have gone up for everyone, including Thais. Our little piece of paradise has gained some new traps, but the majority are still the local people.

Fed ex is a poor choice for shipping. They waste so much money and resources to get your anything anywhere. Many Gov't agencies now refuse their services and will not accept them at all. Best to use EMS (Thai) and be sure to get a tracking number. 4 days from Udon to Anchorage AK, every time I have used them.

The exhausts on these type are on the second superstructure, top of the ship, right in front of the search radar. It must have been one big wave to get water down those exhausts. Seems high seas are always the excuse for all the "at sea" accidents that occur here, even the civillian ones.....