KhunLA

33 minutes ago, Leaver said:

 

I think it fair to say the cost of living in Pattaya / Thailand has risen a lot faster than pensions from all around the world.  

USA COLA for Soc Sec are a joke, and not even close to the inflation rate they are based on.  Don't know what orifice they pull those number out of.  5.9% for 2022, based on 2021's inflation, which if you ask my brothers, is more like 10-20%

Couple that with the 25% loss on the exchange rate

42 ish down to 32 ish / $1 USD.

Thailand's inflation 100-150% over 20 yrs, and  COLAs 43.3 / 50% if adding next year seems like we're going backwards.  

Still 'Living the Dream' though, no help for our gov'ts.

Here's the COLA since I've been here, some years there was apparently no inflation ... ????

39 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

English state pension is currently 179 pounds/week = around 770 pounds/month.

Whoa ... that's cutting things thin, ~฿33k a month and not even enough for marriage visa.  Do most of y'all also have company pensions ? 

~฿33k, is pretty much what I live on, and plenty, but I also don't have a large rent (only 6k) or mortgage to pay, along with no car loan to pay off.  No major monthly meds or ins premium either.

If you're a chain smoker and enjoy sipping a few every night....you're screwed ... ????

I didn't do any cross referencing for pricing yet, as not ready myself.  Like the basic info to point in the right direction of areas to see.  Then Gmaps will give more options and better prices.

Good Luck ... ENJOY

this by chance:

https://store.acer.com/th-th/laptops?processor_type=2857

Why why why did I read the OP ?

That's some silly BS  ... mind boggling anyone would believe such silliness. One born every 'post' apparently ... ????

38 minutes ago, DJ54 said:

Thanks for the replies appreciated. Yes I’m living / in Thailand now. Received letter in US from the

bank says .., we’ve decided to close your account.... been with the bank 31 years ...but little activity now

 

Pib has it correct, open BkkBank acct, ask them for dd info, which Manila probably already know, but will need you acct #, PP & SS info.  Actually quite easy.

First time I've seen, pretty cool, and like mindset.

Lots of negative replies ... but what country doesn't want quality & 1st time visitors ?

Never heard a promo 'please send us your bottom of the barrel citizens repeatedly'

????????

That's a money maker in the right spot.  I think it was 1k per plate, so guess they added a lottery of 20k as incentive.

If I was Thai ... that would be a great supplement income, or base income.

USA / 45+ yrs ... Thailand 22 yrs

3 minutes ago, LarrySR said:

Tesla stock on sale this week.

17% off. Nice! 
 

Very.   Nice time to buy in, or wait for another 5% drop, as these are the things that drop prices, but not the value of the company.  Doubt if he'll be doing again in the future, as that gives him plenty of pocket money.

I used to play the worst stocks drops of the day, research why, and if just silly reason, buy in, then sell 1 or 2 months later when they recovered.

15k isn't going to get you much spec wise, though you apparently don't need.

One recommended already, just over your budget, so here's one just under your budget:

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/notebook-acer-aspire-3-a315-23-r1x0-i2440517619-s8455369027.html?exlaz=d_1:mm_150050845_51350205_2010350205::12:12654756915!117524295342!!!pla-294682000766!c!294682000766!8455369027!295613728&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-K2MBhC-ARIsAMtLKRvW8J81nYXeneFsYAZSS0lpPQlztaNBHYep1A1EVPgYbHSBSfncf5AaAke-EALw_wcB

2 hours ago, DJ54 said:

Help! My US bank is closing my account and I need to change the direct deposit from Social Security to Bangkok Bank. I’ve tired calling SS but was on hold. Any help would be appreciated 

Are you in Thailand ?

I bought my last 2 from JIB online.  Also an ASUS fan.  Have 4 and 2 Acers, all still working, and 2 at the 10+ yrs old mark.

You want decent battery, and SSD drive.  Non integrated vid card.  Rest is just spec you may or may not need; more speed, storage, sound.

This does have integrated vid card, but doesn't sound like you'll be editing photos / vids.   I wouldn't go any lower specs than this:

  https://www.jib.co.th/web/product/readProduct/49393/121/NOTEBOOK--โน้ตบุ๊ค--ASUS-X515EA-EJ505TS--TRANSPARENT-SILVER-

Would think dealer would be better, as bank interest rates are silly.  If the dealer doesn't go through a bank, then probably just shop for best deal.

Interest rates here are silly

1 hour ago, JAS21 said:

O OK so not a battery explosion in your view. Certainly bits scattered over a wide range.

 

Company share price has taken a bit of a hammering today. And yesterday.

Expected, as Musk selling off 10% of the stock.

Suspect they were only moved from original crash site, and left elsewhere, so not to be discovered at the crash, thus no connection to the crash or trace of the owners of truck.

Bit of a clean up & no witnesses ... it is pretty sad.

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

I have that ....... almost certainly BPH ........ mostly solved by a pill or two every day.

@Will B Good PSA test at my local government hospital 250bht, I'm supposed to have my yearly one next month.

I've had results from 0.5 to 1.2 ..... supposedly over 4 may indicate something wrong.

Although as I don't believe in cancer treatment I'm not sure why I have them ..... easier than fighting the system I guess.

Have you gotten an ultrasound of prostate / lower or full abdomen ?  I'd highly recommend that.  As I also have an enlarged prostate.  Originally just large, then PSA #s doubled to 4 something, then the ultrasound show my prostate size had also doubled, and no masses noticed, so explained the higher # due to size and age, as it apparently increases with age.  Though usually not at that rate, without a size 'growth'

At least it's growing outward, instead of inward .... flow is still the same, just more often ????

13 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

No matter how you frame the argument, they are just another morally bankrupt commercial entity that puts money above all else. 

Obviously you've never been to the Uni or especially the Medical Center, as they put out a large portion of the medical professionals in Thailand, along with some of the best care to literally 1000's of people EVERYDAY.

Any profits enhancing their ability is more important than a dilapidated building showing movies you couldn't pay me to sit through.  Apparently very few of anyone else bothered supporting them.  Good riddance to the eyesore.

28 minutes ago, Hanuman2547 said:

Really need to get rid of the 90 day reporting, the TM 30 requirement, and dual pricing in any form.  There are other things but this is just for starters.

They were mulling that over pre-covid.  Think it will depend on some bean counting, and if enough idiot criminals actually filed paperwork with active warrants on them, then they may keep it.

1 hour ago, KhaoNiaw said:

Oh, I get it. People are reacting to the headline with Che. Unfortunate that the headline means people won't bother looking into an interesting Thai figure whose influence may still be felt in the current pro-democracy movement. 

Guilty as charge .... my bad.  Apologies if any family, friends, fans saw my post, which I've asked to be deleted.