GypsyT

Just received this from Joe, the Prez. Don't know if it helps anyone: "With Open Enrollment for Medicare around the corner, I want to make sure you're aware of historic changes to Medicare that are lowering health care costs and ensuring that every American has the peace of mind that comes with quality, affordable health care. Because Medicare benefits are getting stronger, it is more important than ever to look at your drug coverage for 2025 during Medicare Open Enrollment and make sure you are enrolled in the Medicare Part D plan that is best for you. You can learn more about these benefits and review your options at Medicare.gov starting in early October. Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15th through December 7th. These historic reforms are a result of the Inflation Reduction Act that I signed into law and that Vice President Harris cast the tie-breaking vote to secure. This new law gives Medicare the power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices, like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs does on behalf of our nation's veterans and servicemembers. Medicare has been able to cap the cost of insulin for seniors with diabetes at $35 a month for each covered insulin instead of as much as $400 a month. Recommended vaccines, like those to treat shingles, are free for people with Medicare prescription drug coverage. Starting in January 2025, your total out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs will be capped at $2,000 a year, no matter how expensive your prescription drugs are. That means you will not pay more than $2,000 per year on prescription drugs covered under Medicare prescription drug coverage, or Part D — that includes expensive prescription drugs to treat cancer, chronic illnesses, and more. And if you have had high drug costs in 2024 and have reached what's called the catastrophic coverage phase, you won't have to pay any more out of pocket. These reforms not only save seniors money, they also save money for American taxpayers. In fact, taxpayers are expected to save $160 billion over the next decade because Medicare is now able to negotiate drug prices alongside other reforms — and we're just getting started. In addition to these cost-saving benefits that are in effect in 2025, Medicare recently announced that it has reached agreement with pharmaceutical companies for new, lower prices for ten of the most expensive and most frequently used prescription drugs in Medicare. These new, lower prices will go into effect in 2026, and Medicare will continue to negotiate prices for additional drugs each year for the foreseeable future. These are just some of the ways my Administration has worked to help you save money on your health care costs and to provide a little more breathing room for you and your families. Vice President Harris and I believe that health care should be a right, not a privilege. I encourage you to take advantage of these new, lower-cost benefits as part of stronger, better Medicare coverage that you deserve."

"Jared Kushner is coming to Albania. I would expect the cost of expat living to go up." https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/jared-kushner-shady-firm-exposed-195206921.html

Since OP's "healthy" seems to be unclear may I show what has been The Best sandwich I've even eaten; Cuban pressed "Tripleta" in Puerto Rico truck stop! The price was about $ 3.50. It was a full meal too. Like this; https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/tripleta-hearty-puerto-rican-sandwich-110057435.html It CAN be healthy if you don't eat anything for next 6-8hr. Is there any Cuban or Puerto Rican eateries in Thailand? haven't seen any.

Still the best in my mouth; G7 black. No sugar, no creamer. - I get it at Big-C or Jomtien bus station market. https://www.amazon.com/TRUNG-Instant-Technology-Non-Dairy-Creamer/dp/B08D9MS3M1

No. Never tried yet.

I noticed I don't eat much bread in Asia. I don't miss it much. However, I try to find rye crackers like WASA hard bread. Or 100% wheat. PS. I never eat American white breads.

Fried eggs & ham is OK but fry it first to get fat out.

My only "confusion" may be I don't know what "Turnpike" is.... I thought it's "over the hill top road" but now, after googleing I find out it's something else, like "Toll road" etc. 304 doesn't have that. "A turnpike is a busy road that charges users a fee to drive on it. If you drive through a toll booth, you know you're on a turnpike." I took 304 to Khon Kaen many times but after "Tea money" deal w cops switched to #1 & 2.

Cops were at 304 @ 3052 intersection. 3052 goes to the N'al Park's North Entry. If you didn't noticed going over the turnpike you were not in condition to drive... Official guide: "BANGKOK – KHAO YAI Route 2 : From Bangkok, take Highway No. 304 past Min Buri, Chachoengsao, Phanom Sarakham, Kabin Buri, Wang Nam Khiao, Pak Thong Chai, to Nakhon Ratchasima. The total distance is 273 kilometres."

OK, thank you! Is there ANY BTS discount for old farang?

If don't mind, pls tell how was it? It looked awesome under lights on TV. Racing was very good too.

Did you down some beer in Dubai? Do they sell and allow?

What is this; "After the above steps, visit Ticket Office to activate your registration. Remark: Please present your Rabbit card, ID card, and registered mobile phone to the BTS ticket office for activation." Can I use US phone?

Can't read well but says; "Athletics Recycled Material...." that's all I can read. very soft and comfortable. No tags.

"I ended up on upper Sukhumvit 22 which is a short walk or bike to the MRT, BTS, Makro, Foodland, Big C, Lotus, Villa Mart and Gourmet Market." You forgot one; Soi Cowboy 😉 "This 150-m.-long street shines brightly at night from the neon lighting on its many go-go bars."

Jomtien Night Market has one dealer who has quality T-shirts for 100-120THB. Loose US sizes too. NOT 100% cotton, NOT Made in India or Bangladesh. I bought two and they still are good after 4mo of daily sweaty use, walking etc.

Yes and No; At Park road intersection are nasty cops looking for "Tea Money".... Locals gave cops "credit" to cause closure of fake Italian Village near park road intersection. We, me and gf, were asked donation two times. First time I offered my Credit Card (non active, is locked up). The cop didn't like that... nor did my Thai gf. Sure enough there were a bigger group waiting over the hill and the price to continue was 600THB. My gf hid rest of her cash in time... She told me we, or me, was very close to be arrested and jailed.

Where does Russia get money? From European Union countries... who all support Ukraine. "In H1 2024, 48% of Europe’s LNG imports were from the U.S., 16% from Russia, 11% from Algeria, 10% from Qatar and 4% from both Nigeria and Norway. LNG imports to Europe from the U.S. decreased by 15% year on year, those from Qatar dropped 31% and those from Nigeria fell 43%. Conversely, imports from Russia were up 11%, from Norway they increased 19% and from Algeria they rose 9%. https://ieefa.org/european-lng-tracker-september-2024-update

If somebody can't get his/her Thai lover to EU, and later to US etc, Georgia is an alternative place to start. Full year per visit VISA FREE for Thai. Then 30 days visa free in Turkiye and back to Georgia. If they want to get married Turkiye (preferred new spelling), the neighboring country, is the place to do that fast and cheap. Turkiye allow 2 farangs to marry but no same sex marriages. Then, after being married or have been living together for 2 years (in any place) many countries like Spain, allow legal residency if one is EU resident. After both getting legal EU residency both can travel to US or near any country. Long way to do it but not expensive. I did this research for myself "in case" I need it 😉

A friend of mine just returned from Batumi, Georgia. NOT many Russians there. It's a beach city and getting more and more EU citizens to visit and invest. https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=batumi+georgia

3 years ago they were moving "for sure" but people got mad thanks to lack of public transportation there so move got "delayed". The new place were outside the city.

Use front door 😉 - 24/7 Guard will help. I never have had any problems staying in VT2A & B. Same with VT1A&B. VT1A can be noisy. Others not. All have reasonable / cheap rooms and are near sold out in winter. Very popular.

Yeah, makes sense. However, I'll start mid October (not too humid on Jomtien) and leave in mid March for the US. Spring up in the mountains is beautiful. Full of flowers, air is crispy but sunny.

Now in Oct 8-9 Was 2,200.00 THB, now 1,400.00 THB

I'd advice not to lock in long rental until he checks out the area, place, security and noise. Hostels are worst, you never can leave anything there! Or maybe only if they have steel lockers and you got your own lock. If he uses agents he should only pay for couple of night and then, if he likes it, make a deal direct with the owner. I've saved thousands on USD doing that during years. It works 90% time if the owner is Thai. Later if/when I return I get same deal directly.