Joebuzzz

I did mention that as a US citizen I'm required to transfer 65K monthly. Only because my embassy is too pathetic to provide income verification even on Social Security benefits. No, I don't spend it all every month. Sometimes I spend more, most of the time about 70%.

Read this one. It's already going down, down, down. Top 10 provinces for second-hand property sales identified

I was just trying to point out that, no matter what, there will be losers in the Thai business sector.

50% of expats leaving my condo building would pretty much put all the businesses downstairs out of business.

In 1987 I was having troubles in my second marriage, in San Diego. The wife and I lived separately. As we were trying to work things out, she stopped by one afternoon to talk. I said " Hey, ya wanna give me a ride to Linda Vista?" She says okay. Twenty minutes later we pull into a parking lot. She reads the sign on the building and says "What are we doing at Planned Parenthood?" I said "I'm getting a vasectomy. I'll see ya in an hour". Yep, I knew that would finish the fiasco.

300,000 expats contributing the 65,000 Baht per month (amount required to transfer for a few of us) equals about $590,000,000 to the economy, monthly. 2023 GDP of Thailand was $515 BILLION. But believing that foreigners are a drop in that bucket is wrong. Thailand exports about $600 BILLION ANNUALLY. Expats use grocery stores, mechanics, contractors, pharmacies, doctors, dentists, etc, everything during low season. Too many bail and it certainly won't affect exports. And when tourists show up for high season, they'll find a lot of emptiness.

Already selling my stuff. Gotta get back to two suitcases.

I'm almost ready to say, just screw it, and move to PH. Dealing with the gov't there seems much easier.

Yep.

My opinion is that this man's life is/has been, so hard and difficult that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't win. In the end, depression and debt were his demons. He killed them both.

Greetings, I have changed my address and wonder if anyone has solid information regarding what to change, and how. Did TM30 with leasing agent. BK Bank, Motorbike and insurance, Thai drivers licenses. And ... will I need new Resident Letters from immigration. Thank you in advance.

LOL. Yep, it happens. I went to Makro with my backpack. They store it and give you a number tag. When I went for my backpack, I found I had "lost" the tag in the store. I told them I was sorry. It was also after they had made new tags. An hour later, I find the tag in my "other" shirt pocket. They were surprised when I showed up an hour and a half after I left. They actually couldn't believe I went to the trouble to return it. Yep, I said "Sorry, in my other pocket".

Well, yes and no. The embassy was tasked with actually "verifying the funds. They refused. I can print a benefit letter from Social Security any time. They ARE the government so I'm sure they could too .... if they wanted to. They won't even verify a letter from their own administration. But to get a passport, I had to supply a Social Security number. I got their "notarized" document in 2016. Fill out a form, raise your right hand, say "Yep". Pay $50 in US CURRENCY. (LOSE MONEY IN EXCHANGE). Yeah, they're all about working for their citizens. LOL. Seems most other embassies don't have a problem. Just the "English" ones. I have a theory on that too. Go to their web site, note that they have an "approved" list of attorneys to help your family get your funds back if you die here. It can take a year and 30% of you bank balance. So I would assume "everyone" in this process is working to make it as "smooth" as possible for the heirs. Greasy hands is my point. Hey, that's why attorneys make up the most politicians. Because they're always working for your benefit(s). Ever meet one you could trust? Me neither.

Dang. I'm seldom out after dark.

Thanks for the reply. You understood my post. I did provide 800K for over a year, plus 65K for 15 months, got O-Visa March 2023, first extension March 2024, had to return and show 800K in June 2024. IO said I could go to 400K for 7 months and would have to top up back to 800K. He said I could only stay at 400K if I were married. Maybe I'll go talk to them during my 90 day next month and see if there's a different opinion. I have read where someone else had a note or something put in their passport regarding income method on Retirement Visa. In the end, this garbage is the direct result of the US Embassy refusing to notarize a benefit letter from Social Security. Why? I guess they're just plain lazy. It was good when they just lied for everybody for 50 bucks 7 years ago.

Well, I forgot to mention that he asked if I was married to a Thai. I said "No". He said "YES, you have to send back money to make 800K two months before next application." Seems kind of ridiculous to me to send 400K back and forth. Thanks for your reply.

Greetings. I am aware f the requirements you've stated. However, for my 2nd one year extension, meeting those requirements, I was given a notice to return in 90 days to prove I had maintained 800K. When I returned in June, Jomtien IO said I could now use 400K, maintain 65K per month transfer, but 2 months prior to next year's renewal I'd have to transfer 400K back to meet the 800K for my next extension. Is that the case or did the IO screw up? I'm now nearing 2 years of maintaining 800K AND 65K monthly. Unfortunately, my embassy is to lazy to provide income letters even for government Social Security benefits.

Sure they did. First, they elected Hamas to run their country (LOL), then they backed them for 18 years, and, to this day, won't tell the IDF where they're hiding the hostages. So every day they don't give up the location of the hostages, they're helping Hamas whether they're holding a gun or not.

Huh? It's over when they release the hostages. Until then, they deserve what they purchased on October 7th.

Sailed?

I once worked in a scissor factory. All the training in the world and you'd still catch those new hires running.

Naw, it ain't what you think. He was trolling for lady boys and that was his method of detection.

Honestly. There is absolutely nothing on the planet that isn't about money. Politics, religion, entertainment, IT'S ALL ABOUT MONEY. How many pop-up ads did you read while reading this?

Comedy isn't your strong suit. Don't quit your day job.

I live in a condo building, very close to a bus station, and our parking lot has turned into a storage lot due to no parking enforcement. It really sucks.