udontomi

Why single out Fox News? ALL the so-called "legacy" media outlets are just as guilty!! There are few that are truly "news," most are purely opinion soapboxes!

As an expat, I consider myself as a guest in LOS and one reason I love it here is because of the Thai culture! I respectfully submit that those expats who don't like the water splashing tradition during Songkran try to learn its meaning and if you still don't like it, just stay home.

Living in Udonthani now for over seven years, I have found that speaking Thai (or Isaan here in the NE) is not necessary for at least two reasons: 1.) There is a LOT of English signage in the area; and 2.) Many Thais I encounter seem to prefer to practice their English with me. In my extended Thai family, most speak Thai (central I assume), Issan and Lao languages. Side note: My sister-in-law taught English in a Thai school and I have a difficult time with her English pronunciation. And she doesn't seem to want to practice it with me. Embarrassed? Maybe.

Most of these posts seem to ignore the cultural (family relationship) differences between Thailand and the western world. Thais have a very tight familial social life. My Thai wife is 33 years younger than I (American) (she was 36, I was 69 y/o when we married 15 years ago). I have outlived all my close family and so everything I own will happily go to her when I die. We love each other without reservation. To judge Thai relationships to western ones is selfish at best and stupid st worst!

We planted about 14 (fairly remote) rai of trees and after about four years, they were STOLEN!

We are GUESTS in this country, just as they are guests in ours!! As guests we (and they) should have to comply with the rules of our host countries. No exceptions!!!!

I opened my Schwab account in the USA before I retired here. My "official" address is still in the US but my mailing address is in Thailand. No problems. I have a debt card which works here to transfer funds from the US.. Renewal cards come by UPS/FedEx. No problem. Love their service. I don't see a need for an International account since my permanent address is in the US, When I bought my truck here I called Schwab Banking and the temporarily raised my daily limit, but Bangkok Bank has a 250,000 TB per day limit (then).

Why not just buy from a Samsung store in BKK?

IMPERATIVE that the balance doesn't drop below 400,000 at any time during the year! Therefore transferring 400,000 two different times is the ONLY way to insure no problems with Immigration. After the first transfer, you will still have 400,00 in two different branches which will satisfy the rule (subject always to the local IO', interpretation.) P.S. my Udon branch told me that they do no longer allow farangs to open a separate account at another branch. Cuz it's in the same province? I don't know.

My BKKBK in Udonthani would not allow me to transfer my account to another Udon branch because they said they could not allow a farang to have accounts at two different locations. ( I was attempting to transfer my 800,000 account, which would necessitate two separate transactions). But they tell me I can get the same services at another branch (including the letter required by immigration. (?)

We "farang" are visitors/guests in Thailand (Isaan) and should remember that as such we should either accept our hosts' culture or leave!

I have had the same excellent service from several different KT Optic ln Udon!

Udon IOs have always been great for me! Seven years now and no complaints!

Different bank have different rules. Also different BRANCHES of the same bank have different rules.. Keep trying!

I was referring to the bank letter showing the one-year activity where the balance didn't drop below the minimum requirement. Must be no more than seven days old. I also make a 100 TB deposit and update my passbook the same day I'm going to the I/O so that also shows the balances for the year. I get the letter you refer to at the same time.

The bank letter cannot be more the seven days old.

My Thai wife prefers Shoppee. I prefer Lazada because it has more ino in English than I have found on Shoppee

Schwab Bank reimburses for ALL ATM or debit card w/d fees. Western Union USED TO BE outrageously expensive!

I need a complicated Rx which includes prisms. My ophthalmologist in Udon was a bust. As was the eye clinic at the Kohn Kaen University Med Center. I finally went to Paris Miki (Gaysorn Village) in Bangkok and was seen by Mr Mizumori, not an MD or Dr of Optometry (which I have not ever seen in Thailand!) I could not be happier! They do have an ophthalmologist there also, but he only reviewed the exam since only needed a refraction with no medical issues.

Lazada will not accept my Visa credit card issued by an American bank they say because it has an American billing address. My credit card issuing bank requires an American billing address. Any suggestions? Also, can I use my Bangkok Bank account with my retirement qualifying 800,000 TB to qualify for a Bangkok Bank secured credit card without jeopardizing my retirement visa requirement?