Wrwest

Ha! Of course, as were all members of the citizen Grand Jury which determined there was enough evidence to hold the trial …

monthlong trip to USA last April in a rental car. Bus turning, crossed into my lane and rubbed against passenger side front fender (Florida). Police report at the scene ... no issue presenting my Thai Driver's License for rental nor accident..

Map reading yes but not in school for me. Boy Scouts, (Bobcat through Eagle) from age 7 - 64 1/2.

Just renewed my "O" Visa Extension for Marriage to a Thai. I use an agency as they keep up with any local particularities, personalities, changes in bosses, etc ... just easier. This is my 1st such extension as previously I used Retirement. Stack of paper for sure but ... no map requested. As we know, immigration office requirements variety ... I suspect the hand drawn versus the google print in someone's mind means we would be giving personal evidence (much like requiring our signature on each page of documents & additional forms submitted.

As an American Cousin, I do understand and sympathize with Brits who have benefits frozen for living outside British territory. I would be grumpy also if my SS inflation adjustments were frozen.

For those newly arriving in Chiang Mai, the Chiang Mai Expats Club provides a table at the monthly breakfasts so that questions can be asked. Immigration, banking, weather, driving/license requirements, medical care/insurance, travel, shopping, lodging, different areas of the city benefits and potential drawbacks, general Thai cultural observations, etc. are questions oft on newcomer folks minds. This is true of vacationers, as well as, those contemplating retiring here. Yep, you can get answers on this site but, be aware ... the Duke's Breakfast Buffet cost is 395 baht, discounted to 295 for Expat Club Members (one time lifetime membership is 1000 baht). Scroll though the posts and you see a different cost cited and the German buffet is not a breakfast, cost cited by the restaurant is at 230 baht, 280 baht on Sundays (and yes a great value).

Not using CW but just renewed "O" Extension using 65K a month transferred from aboard in Chiang Mai and using Bangkok Bank. May be of some interest for comparison for someone. I do not keep my bank book up to date so when it is updated, the bank combines several entries ... thus not acceptable for immigration proof of monthly FTT deposits. So, a week to get the 12 months printed statement. Required an additional statement from bank listing each month and monthly FTT transfer for each month. Additional bank statement stating current balance. Of course most of us are aware requirements vary according to immigration office.

I recall an early saying here, "Thailand is a male dominated society ... directed by females". and so it goes ...

James Martin Client Manager – Southeast Asia james AT americanasiatax.com

Cute, but the reality is that most recognize that there is, in fact, a critical immigration issue that has been kicked down the road by both parties for decades. That is why we agree with the Republican Party, which long ago stated there was a need for new law. We looked forward to the addressing of the issue, and were very encouraged that Republicans and Democrats were proposing a bipartisan Bill (supported by membership of 18,000 border patrol officers). And then ... the apparent Republican Party future nominee declared Republican congressional representatives are not to support ...

We can only hope for a massive turn out for the general election. If an overwhelming number of American citizen voters turnout, Trump and the current Republican Party will be soundly defeated. Oh, the dedicate MAGA types will turn out but their numbers can be overcome by the majority rejecting The Donald. Many of us would rather have seen a different contest but ... here we are currently. I do fear folks being so discouraged that they do not bother to vote. Too many times in history a vocal, dedicated minority has come to authoritarian power in such a case.

Not just the Democrats ... bit of an understatement. The Republicans insisted that immigration must be addressed and the House passed a bill. That Bill, was known to be extreme and a nonstarter with the US Senate. Bowing to Republican demands, a Senate bipartisan Security Bill was drafted with the support from both parties. Enter "The Donald" publicly stating that the Republicans should pass no such nonpartisan Bill as immigration/border issues is a weak point for the current administration and he wants to use that issue to run for President as the Republican Party Nominee. Most Americans definitely agree with Congressional representatives of both parties that immigration law needs revising. We would agree that both USA political parties have kicked the issue down the road for decades (almost as complicated an issue and fraught with potential unintended consequences as addressing Social Security).

Agree with most but the addendum is that Democrat majority states are not alone in folks not affording to live there. My working life was spent in Kentucky and I found it would be a challenge to live a working middle class retirement on my sustainable $2400 usd per month ($1570 of that from SS). Quite comfortable on my 65K baht per month here in support of family of 3.

So, what constitutes, “well capitalized”? Just raising the question. I just turned 77 here in Chiang Mai use the 65K monthly minimum transfer as we spend that much generally every month. 12 1/2 years and counting, quite content living a working middle class retirement that I cannot afford in my home country.

Oh, pleeeze do go to the Ukraine front lines and remind those putting their lives on the line that they are only fighting a proxy war for the USA.

I take Trump as a serious threat to my very flawed country. Far too many in the working middle class are emotionally willing (seemingly) to follow anyone who gives voice to their justified frustration/anger. This is driven by sheer emotion not thought as to consequences.

Grew up in South Jersey, Philadelphia Met area (no not Camden). The only place I had a knife pulled on me in the 30 countries I have studied (7 of those) or visited.

Like much else dealing with those who have retired here in Thailand, it all depends on the individual. Yep, a very busy employed life. 12 1/2 years retired in Chiang Mai and quite content.

While I am in support of the Democrat Party, like many of my fellow Democrats, I wish circumstances were different. President Biden has a very favorable history on which to stand. But bottom line with the upcoming US election is the decision by the American citizen voters as to the model of government they want. A deeply flawed current system begging for reform or a more authoritarian regime. Oh, the authoritarian regime can make reforms faster as it will not need to compromise … a taste? The current Republican Party stance on refusing to vote on the bipartisan bill which addressed their demand (rightly so) immigration legislation. Yes, my country is under threat … from a vocal, dedicated internal minority.

OK, we have been faced with this since late last year and the water is still over.y murky. I am being told conflicting information from tax accounting firms here in Thailand with the bottom line that no one can definitively say what will be true. Time to start leaning on our respective diplomatic/national taxing communities to press the Kingdom of Thailand to publicly state there will be no effect on long term Thai residents form foreign countries until and unless the Kingdom of Thailand gives definitive absolute rules and at least a one year notice of these rules before implementation. This will give long term foreign residents the opportunity to leave Thailand. The various diplomatic missions have the responsibility to clearly tell its nationals if the existing tax agreements/tax treaties will protect their nationals from double taxation or a complicated Thai tax reporting burden.

Long time ago since I took as check drawn on a USA bank to BKK Bank to ask about depositing. I was put off by the time it would take and the bank charge for the service. Found that I could send a copy of front and back of the check to mt USA bank and they credited the amount immediately.

Exactly the words I highlighted to copy. Thanks for posting ...

I stand corrected. The following leading statement is what I should have stated, “they refused to pay out after she plunged almost 20 metres to her death”.

It does get complicated. While not an official Constitutional Monarchy … Russia comes to mind. I guess I could take the time to look at some other countries that I am less familiar with, Bután, Nepal?