Khyron

I like Swampy, pretty decent all around. I don't trust the Skytrax ratings though, it is a 100% pay to play site. Basically the top airport paid the most to appear on the list and so on. Even the airline ratings list is pay.

WTF? Such weird visas, must be a joke. The ad was written by a Farang, not a Thai person translating from Thai, grammer is too perfect. No mention of money, which would be the first thing they talk about.

The US and UK tried to stop the newly formed IDF from defending itself after WW2. The IDF had purchased several types of fighters, mostly Spitfires, P51's and ME-109's and flew them to Israel. They had to dodge the allies from stopping the flights from Czechoslovakia. There were a few Americans who helped Israel procure the airplanes, I believe they lost their citizenship. This current conflict has no cut and dried good vs bad. Israel has been stepping on the Arabs in their territories for a very long time, and the Arabs in the region have also not tried to get along with Israel. It looked like they may have been a start during the 90's with Arafat and Rabin, but Rabin was killed before any good came from it. Any successful peoples in history have always had a give and take to maintain the peace, All sides in this conflict are doing neither, so this will go on for a while, unfortunately. Iran hoped this attack would inflame the other middle east countries, it was met with ambivalence from most, and a few big players (Jordan, Saudi Arabia) actually shot down some of the drones that flew over their countries. Iran should let Hamas make their own bed in this one. Maybe with Hamas out of the picture, the Palestinians can actually be a successful people, I work with more than a few Muslims, and a couple of Palestinians, really wonderful people who don't want a conflict with anyone, they just want to get along with everybody.

Cement pond, did the author of this article watch the "Beverly Hillbillies" alot? Those who have never watched the tv show, it was a sitcom in the 60's that followed a family of suddenly rich hillbillies who moved to Beverly Hills, and the swimming pool was known as a cement pond. Quite funny at times.

Don't forget the military, Police and politicians doing a photo op pointing at the border.

Maybe in certain neighborhoods, but overall the median home prices are $450-550k. TBH, I hope the home prices stay or even go up. I purchased in 2010 when the homes were being given away almost. I don't owe much anymore and hope to retire next year. Fortunately, this won't be my main source of cash. Maybe that is being a greedy, I hope not.🙂 I am curious to see how the Thai RD will view the home sale, as the profit isn't taxed until a certain number in the US, I will be under that threshold. So If I sell the house in the fall, and am not a Thai tax resident until the following year, I wonder if it will be subject to Thai tax at all? If I show it in savings, then they shouldn't touch it. I may talk to someone in the RD when we go back next year, I have heard the personnel are very helpful. So many questions... Ca isn't the same as it was 30+ years ago, most people are not that optimistic unfortunately.

My Wife supported Trump the first time (She is a fairly right wing Isaan Woman) Now she won't vote for him, he just won't stop yapping. I am not sure who she will go for though, she vehemently hates Biden, Harris and Newsome (Gov of California). I am a mildly right leaning centrist, both sides have some good and bad points. I don't have the heart to tell her that the MFP who she whole heartedly supports and liberal Democrats are not that far off, and the previous government in charge was essentially right wingers. Most Thais here are right wing Republicans for whatever reason, but support liberal governments in Thailand. I don't think they understand the difference. The free, up to 4th grade education that was offered in Thailand 50 years ago would be one of the reasons.

The lawyer is a dead man walking...

Aren't they getting a high speed train very soon? That will reduce many passengers on any airline. I would take the train, as it will be much less hassle than going through the airport, either DMK or Swampy. I usually fly up to KK, but the high speed train may be a viable solution.

The last Monk I trusted was the Abbot in our local temple. He had been there for 45+ years. Super humble guy, went to other temples in different provinces to help out. Wasn't interested in fundraising, just good works. Died a few years ago and the place hasn't been the same since. Several stories in the states of corruption by monks gone wild with donations. What I tell my wife is, I don't trust a long time monk who looks well fed, fat. I don't get the shysters who have someone drive them around the country looking for "donations" for their temple from well off old ladies. Maybe I am missing something here?

I tried the reaching for a rock, and they scattered, at least far enough away where they weren't threat. The quiet ones that come after you are the dogs I am most worried about. Maybe give them a treat once in a while? They may remember you as someone they look forward to seeing vs something they see as a threat.

Make sure it has self closing hatches, as the navy can't be trusted to close them in a storm.

Nasa sure knows how to get its money worth when it buys a plane. Looks like they re-engined it with much newer engines. First civilian airliner to go above Mach one.

Good luck with the Thai revenue department deciphering a US 1040 long form, It won't be a simple document saying I paid taxes or not. Hopefully when I retire, we will only have to file a 1040EZ, a single page document. My big question is how they are going to determine prior savings that have been taxed throughout the years vs actual income after I retire when monies are sent to Thai banks. The money I will have when I sell my house is considered tax free in California and the US. I figure If I receive that money at the end of one year, then stay in LOS beginning in another year, I won't have to declare it, does that sound correct? Do other countries have similar tax preparation? Or is the US alone in overly complicated yearly tax declaration? Thanks for any and all replies.

I've been flying with EVA for 30 years, they have continued to impress. The only thing I have a slight issue with is the seating on the 777. For some reason the seats on some 777 is 333, and others is 343. Obviously the 333 is noticeably more comfortable, but I would like them to do all the planes this way, right now its a crapshoot. Thai will never be up to the standards of EVA.

My Niece is going through nursing school in Phetchabun, its a 4-year course. Next time I see her I'll ask some simple first aid things and see how much is really being taught. My wife isn't too sure about it though.

Sorry for my ignorance, but what is an "FD" account? and how is it different than a savings account for immigration? Thanks.

They also make money by charging ridiculous prices for "overweight" baggage. Most if not all of the Int'l airlines have a 23 kg limit, Thai domestic and I believe Air Asia are at 20KG's per bag. So when you transfer to a domestic flight, it is lower by design. The fees are in the thousands of Baht for overweight by a few KG's. My wife tore up a ticket counter person about that. I thought she was going to get blacklisted, she is normally mild mannered, but mess with our money and watch out.

At least it wasn't a farang this time, that happens too much lately.

I'm sorry, there was a story there somewhere, but I couldn't stop staring at his snaggletooth on the lower left. 😁 That story reminds me about the Brit who found a filipina through facebook, moved in with her and she, along with her family fleeced him for 7 years. I heard him described as the stupidest man in the Philippines. The guy was writing a blog on britishexpats.com for years, everyone was telling him exactly what she was doing but according to him he had it under control. The woman had 4 kids from a previous relationship when he thought she had none. I check in sometimes to see if he still around, and he is, surprisingly.

I know, right? There is something more to this story. There can't be any way to get money out of a bank with just a picture. How do they know what bank? Account number? It is absolutely frightening if that is all they need. Phone apps are ok, just have a going-to-town phone, and a separate bank phone, which is only at home, on a wifi with a VPN, no sim card needed, when not in use it is off and in the safe.

Interesting, why they aren't using Navy divers instead of Marines? I know the Marines are technically part of the Navy, but I didn't know the Marines had divers per se'.

Remember in the Brady Bunch TV show, when Carol had a minor fender bender and the guy she hit came in to court with a neck brace? Mike tossed his briefcase next to the guy and magically his neck was better. Maybe someone did that to see if he was BSing or not, I vote yes.

I do understand why alot of people get rejected, but why some others get a visa is beyond me. My wife met two single ladies, one in her early thirties and a member of the RTP, the other was in late forties, single had a masters in education, and a job at a university. Both took off and went looking for a guy to marry. The Cop got married pretty quickly, the other lady went from San Diego to Boston to work in a friends restaurant. The Cop is still here, the Older lady went back with her Aunt after 5 years. My wife is disgusted by both as it ruins it for her Brother and Mother who would have like to come for a valid visit. What is weird is at around same time my MIL applied to come here for a month or so, she had a passport, land, and was 72, not exactly looking for a guy or a job, she was rejected as a high risk something or another. These two younger broads received visas and had ulterior motives. My BIL would like to come, but we know better. My MIL died in 2019, lovely person, and never made it for a visit. My wife is a citizen now, but won't apply for her family to come over. Too much BS, but it is understandable why there is so much to go through. I have thought, jokingly, to have my BIL come to mexico and cross the border illegally instead of a visa, but my wife would be pissed as she absolutely hates illegals.

The amount of daily flights doesn't make sense, In Sacramento we have 150 daily flights, its a small/medium size airport. A few years ago I would even have called it podunk. Are they thinking peak hourly traffic? The TAT/AOT seem to get their numbers wrong alot.