KhunLA

https://aseannow.com/topic/1262206-what-books-are-you-reading-2022/page/3/

I think I'll be long dead before that is mass produced to an affordable level, if ever.

2 words ... TAXI MAFIA

Watch your timing for 'full' benefit: "If you were born between 1957 your full retirement age is 66 and 6 months If you start receiving benefits at age 66 and 6 months you get 100 percent of your monthly benefit." https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/1957-delay.html#:~:text=If you were born between,percent of your monthly benefit.

Unless things change, you taxi to/from town to HH airport will be about the same as that 1000 baht airfare. 2019 and 400-500 baht was the norm, 1 way. Actually cheaper to take the bus or minivan to Bangkok ????

FB Marketplace - 2 yrs of no income for many people, so should be a buyers market. Getting cheated is up to you, as used market is the same worldwide, TH no different. I think Toyota has 'authorized' used car resellers. Maybe someone can chime in to verify that. If wanting to go with a dealer/warranty. Other wise I'd stick with private seller as most used car dealers have some silly prices.

Fid doesn't care, as I've been here 22 yrs, keep an USA address, and now use my ATM about once every 2 or 3 month. Down from at least 2 or 3 times a month. Now have SS DD, which alone is enough for retirement visa. I use the ATM to bring my pittance of a pension over as can only be DD in USA financial institution. I could wire it over, but I think BBL charges 200-500 baht for incoming. Also use the Fid ATM/VISA for online purchases if COD not available, though that is getting rare anymore. Don't have a Thai bank ATM, as I won't pay fees to access my own money.

Are you keeping a USA 'home' address ?

Take a peek at Fidelity Investments, as you can set up monthly transfer, no fee. Receiving bank may have a fee though. Also their 'Cash Management' account ATM card reimburses foreign ATM fees, and is also no fee from FID.

With those questions you may want to think about not getting married and live together for a while ... decade or 3. I courted (lived with) present wife for 8 yrs before marrying. There are ways to protect your 'investment' or rights, sort of. Although if buying a house, in her name (so hers), and say the family want you out, then health wise it might be a good idea to do what they say. Usufruct & POA (to sell) is best protection, which I had and used with 1st Thai wife. Wills are OK, and need to be in Thai script, and should be registered. Thai law does not extend past it's border, so overseas assets are safe, unless of course, he or she has rights in your home country. Child support will cross borders, I think, though most won't chase after it. Prenup, I wouldn't bother, just invest no more than you can afford to lose. Safest way for your future if it all goes tits up.

@AndyAndyAndy for furniture, might try Index Living Mall, as they seem to have decent selection. There's also some specialty shops about, as I got some nice piece that a shop imported. A bit expensive though. Last house, bedroom & living room with pretty much bought everything at a Impact Arena (Nonthaburi) home & furniture exhibition. Which they just had one last week. There's one this week at BITEC. https://www.worldfair.co.th/event/เฟอร์นิเจอร์แฟร์-2022/ https://www.facebook.com/WorldFairExhibition/ Most pieces had to be made, and from different factories. They shipped from factory to Udon Thani. Actually still have most pieces and stood the test of time, 11 yrs so far.

I don't know. They were a brick & mortar store at Udon Thani. If I couldn't find it elsewhere, tools, bolts, screw ... real hardware stuff, then they usually had it. Or I'd have to start searching the ma/pa shops. One of the slightly annoying things about shopping here, sourcing things. Much better now though, if you what you need, and don't need hands on, as usual found online, with it's own set of challenges.

ToolPro, but don't think it's a countrywide chain. All the rest are about the same. They all seem to have a little bit of everything. But none have everything of anything.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1264995-cheapest-good-weed-now-i-found-350-thbgram-but-not-cheaper-yet-any-idea/page/10/#comment-17485184

We usually head south for our out & abouts. Really only go North to visit daughter (BKK), or Imm (HH). Besides living in NE for 16 yrs and doing the N to death also. Ban Krut, Chumphon, Surat Thani/Khao Sok, NST (friends there & KhiriWong area), Phatthalung, Krabi, Phang-Nga. Could live in any of those areas, but picked PKK as closer to daughter, and simply lovely area on its own. Only Phuket or Krabi might have a decent hospital. Hence no recommendation for the OP, aside from Phuket.

Definitely one of, if not the best food towns (metro) outside of Krung Thep ... ... but not the farang managed vendors. A few were decent, nice proprietors, and maybe more the reason I visited.

We stayed up there during one of our recent outings, and quite enjoyed it. Actually first time actually staying in that area. There's a lot more to Phuket besides Patong, Karon, Kata. Phuket Town is stellar, especially the Sunday Walking Street, during covid anyway, and not too crowded.

Do ridiculously priced Thai food, at a western restaurant, with quite reasonably priced western fare, count as dual pricing. Propietor realizing the Thai wife or GF or rental won't order western food, so charge silly price for Thai offering. When you can order a <200 baht nice burger or meat pie, but som tam is 150 baht, or fried rice 150 baht, there something wrong.

Since haven't been there in 16+ yrs, it wouldn't be fair to rate Patts now. Did give it a few chances, but never warmed up to the place, and actually regretted every visit. Coming from Udon Thani, and a vibrant expat community there, as some describe it, not much farang, 2 actually, food venues interested me, and there had to be at least 50 over the years, that people raved about ... ???? Strangely, the Thais did better western food ... nuff said

Our hospital / PKK, leaves much to be desired, and not sure HH is any better. The surf is nice to look at, the bays are beautiful, but the water to swim in, is nothing like the Andaman, and I rarely bother. Been here 5 yrs, and been in the surf, maybe 5 times. Last 2 times, I got an ear infection, and something I'm not prone to.

Pub grub is about it, nothing fine dining or even close to it. Roadside diner food at best. And yet to be in one, that would be successful back in USA. Not familiar with Patts, but most others, 99% have failed miserably. Only plus is, not expensive, though I've only returned to 2 venues for repeat visits.

Yep, nothing has changed since 2000, I don't think, and no part of it is difficult. Photos are a bit strange, and thank you fellow scamming expats for that. The whole process is quite easy and inexpensive. IMHO

... or start WWIII

If you are going to write a will anyway, it won't simplify anything. Married, she'll inherit anything in Thailand anyway. Will simply does the same thing. If having assets overseas, you may want a lawyer for that will, but again, if she has the will, marriage is unnecessary. If going to affect your pension, that's a good reason not to get married, as their are no good reasons to get married IMHO DISCLAIMER: Do as I say, not as I've done ... says the guy on wife #4 It's the last time, I swear .... again.

Agree 100% ... I've been a drunk, stoner, combo, done more different chemicals than many, on all levels, and I prefer to be straight & clear headed. Do enjoy an occasional beer (490ml), and actually had 2 last night, as entertained my nephew at the house for a taco fest. Realized that's the first time I had a 2nd beer in a long long time. Now, since readily available and I have, I'll have an occasional doobie, maybe 1 or 2 a month. The past 14 years of sipping 1 beer, weekly at the most, instead of testing how much my body can hold, every other day, has been the best 14 yrs of my adulthood life. Not that I didn't enjoy most of my chemically induced days & night, just being clear headed is so much better, and I seem to appreciate everything so much more.