Wrwest

I would think that, if so, the port of call would be Phuket or Samui. Still thinking that Putin & Co. could declare a need to protect Russian speakers in those locations …

50+- years of the American working class in a documented economic squeeze which, I hasten to point out is the result of the actions?policies of both major political parties. The USA is not alone in this as it can be seen in Europe and certainly is reflected by many seeking to retire in lower cost countries.

I think all need to recognize that “The Donald” should have the boom lowered and be called to account without question but … no one should miss the fact that he gained support because he gave voice to the pent up justified frustration/anger within the American working class. Unless/until the underlying cause of that frustration/anger is addressed, the madness continues. I escaped to live a comfortable working middle class retirement in a lower cost country. How many of my “Baby Boomer” generation are in or face a retirement under the reality of economic stress. They join my childrens’ generation who are working middle class and economically stressed. Lose belief in the fairness of a system and you have lost the USA.

I submit something highly personal for your consideration. On January 3, 1986 an accident occurred in Pennsylvania. My Father was driving, his Borther, my Uncle Carl was in the front passenger seat. My Mother and my Aunt Edna (Sister to my Dad and Uncle) were in the back seat. All we’re wearing the “seat belts”. In the front they were waist and shoulder belts, in the back seats, lap belts only, as was standard. A tractor trailer came around a curve at higher speed than the driver could control, came into my Father’s lane and hit the car head-on, causing it to collapse into a V shape horuzonically. The semi spun the car off, snapper a power pole and ended up in the front porch of a house. Dad and Uncle Carl, severely damaged. My Mother and Asunta died as a result of their necks snapping due to only having lap belts.I support seat belt laws BUT … only belts including shoulder harness. Long ago but after the fatal accident, Kentucky was considering passing the same seat belt requirements. I sent the photos to the Speaker of the Legislature House … I must decline adherence unless shoulder belts are available.

When I first travel to Thailand, I pondered why porn would be illegal while the Bangkok and elsewhere “entertainment” areas were well known for the available female company. I figured it must have something to do with unfair competition keeping males from employing Thai females.

Whether an “earned benefit” or “government entitlement” still rankles in the USA. Many of us in the retired working middle class, with justification, differentiate between a retirement benefit we and our employers paid into all our working lives and “welfare” being the social net not requiring paid into to receive benefits. Your classification certainly is not universal to all government budget categories.

I had looked at Mexico, Panama, Ecuador as closer to the U.S. and due to some language knowledge. I also considered the Philippines and Thailand. Cost of living, access to world class medical care (heart patient) … and Buddhist in my outlook. Ok, ok, and the allure of the traditional Thai culture/Thai female cinched the decision at age 64 1/2. Here for over a decade, settled with Thai wife and very happy with my decision.

When I first came I was told ... missionaries, mercenaries and misfits. I suppose my home culture might classify me as a "misfit" for retiring to Thailand (or anywhere else ... they don't get out much from where I lived).

This past IRS filing, I needed to be sure of handling a couple matters and contacted American Asia Tax Company in Bangkok. Very helpful. [email protected]

I am playing Devil’s Advocate … so we should restrict, void the will of the citizens who chose to elect her?

Having been raised in the Philadelphia area, the lure of big cities is lost on me. I'll take the second tier. Smaller, easier to get around, can still find everything I want/need. Of course we all have different tastes. Big cities out, especially in retirement but then so are the villages.

I have used the 65,000 baht transferred in each month for well over a decade now. No minimum bank balance required.

Chiang Mai

Agreed, Joe. Currently fully retired military personnel are able to receive Medicare covered healthcare through the Tricare system around the globe. Fully retired civilian personnel are excluded from receiving Medicare covered healthcare outside the US territory. All in both groups are required to have earned the retirement healthcare benefits and continue paying the Medicare, part B monthly premiums. What follows is a call for a test program to see whether extending Medicare to American Expats is both feasible and can save Medicare money. If successful, we might well see all American retirees who have earned full retirement benefits treated equally.

Retired to Thailand in 2011 upon finding I can have a working middle class retirement that I cannot afford in my own country. An “economic refugee” in reverse … seeking a better economic life in a lower cost country.

Democratic Socialist in the vein of the Scandinavian countries. Supporter of a national healthcare program like all other advanced democratic politically, capitalist economic countries provide for the citizens? Yep …

End of the O-A Visa. Only those not “googling” can possibly miss being warned off. Recommendations only for O Visa from now on.

I do not pretend to have "The Answer", but I am certain that the justified frustration/anger built up within the American working middle class is a powder keg. I believe this as the result of the long term policies of both the Republican and Democrat Parties. The economic squeeze has been allowed to progress too long. It has lead to the current shredding of the fabric of American society. I had said in the past, that the madness will continue unless/until the issue is progressively forcefully addressed. Raise the minimum wage, institute a national healthcare program, extend the US Public School model for an additional two years of higher education, protect the earned Social Security/Medicare retirement benefits of the working middle class. Here are moderate steps that can be taken immediately to give hope and allow more income to be retained in the working middle class while more serious steps are debated and passed by Congress. Those in power positions, in Congress or business ... move forcefully and quickly for you have brought the USA to the brink of utter destruction by your thinking and action/inaction. Trump was supported because he gave voice to this frustration/anger. A minority storming the capital and trying to overthrow the current system is a result of this frustration/anger. Continue your base political maneuvering, your delaying addressing the major issue and you have lost the USA for all of us. Already, the USA is being reduced to "leading" only in military power. A very sad note indeed!!!

Agreed ... but here we are after 50 +/- years of doing just that.

The remnant of the dowry, in the US is that the bride’s family pays the cost of the wedding, which can run into the thousands of dollars. Ha! I recall explaining to Thai girls, on occasion that her family wold (in the west historically) be expected to present a dowry. The look on their faces in reaction was priceless!

I recall overseeing a Law Enforcement international Sister Cities Exchange in the US Commonwealth of Kentucky. The exchange included local city police, the county police, and the State Police. While hosted by the Kentucky State Police a presentation was made by the police in the capital of Frankfort. At one point the statistic was cited that the Ky. State Police spent 50% of their funding on marijuana suppression. I made the comment that I could sit in a cafe in the Dutch city, have a coffee and smoke a joint without any issue. You could have heard a pin drop … of course, I already was aware that the largest “cash crop” in Kentucky had been illegal marijuana. You might check, but I do not think the Netherlands society is going to hell in a hand basket.

What is good for the goose is good for the gander?!

Cut the OP some slack. Yes, you are correct in the legal status of sponsor versus adoption. But then some of us grew up when the term “adopt” was used synonymously. I recall programs for “adopting” animals and children. What it was in reality is sponsoring.

My understanding is that it would work both ways as the agreement allows the sale of Russian grain and fertilizer.

Visited the USA in 2013 and 2015 my Thai license served without issue renting cars. No police incidents so I do not know a local cops reaction. Also used in renting the car and driving in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Germany in 1013 ... again no police incidents (such a good boy am I, ha!). I did not seek and International document.