Jingthing

Yeah it's totally obvious that Trump hates Zelinsky's guts. It's not hard to understand why. Whether Ukraine stands or falls, Zelinsky's legacy as a hero of his nation is cemented. Trump's legacy as a disgusting fascist criminally corrupt demagogue is cemented as well. Trump detests real heroes. He favors the likes of Putin and Kim.

Very selective propaganda narrative. Somehow you failed to mention the UN charter that created two states. The Jews accepted. The Arabs attacked. Not just Arabs in the area. Pretty much the entire Arab world. So you wonder why Israeli Jews became a war like people? No choice!

That's silly. Palestinian Arabs didn't exist as an identity group until Yassar Arafat. If you're honest about indigenous peoples of Israel (I doubt you are) Jews came long before Arabs. Let's get REAL here. In today's world BOTH peoples have legitimate claims to the lands there and for many reasons BOTH peoples have been unable to negotiate a peaceful way to make that work. I offer no solutions.

Sorry posted the wrong video. This one refers to the Gulf naming thing.

Why it matters NOT to say Gulf of America.

Not too likely. More likely to be a European.

Stupid hats? Another live one. Anyway, I'm under the impression that most people in the world can recognize Hebrew and Israeli accented English. Both are very distinctive. There may also be a certain "look" and distinctive attitude when you're talking about groups of young Israeli men cavorting about the place. If you're talking about accomodation owners. from the passports. Duh.

There are no Russian 'bots' please stop fantasizing already

There are specific cases where it is REQUIRED to come in. Info on the embassy website. For standard renewals, the policy is by mail only. This is probably the cause of the confusion here. I was talking about standard renewals.

The policy is to do it by mail. I suppose if you're willing to lie to be let in and you're near Bangkok anyway, you might try to replicate the story of a guy who did it in person. That won't be relevant to people outside Bangkok and people who are uncomfortable with lying to fool the screening people to get in (which may or may not work). Because of this, I would say forget about doing it in person. If it became a big thing for people to lie to get in, surely they would figure that out and put an end to that being a possibility entirely.

12 month.

He's horrible but we knew he'd be horrible. It's hilarious that the magas complain about DEI hires saying they favor merit based hiring when the vast majority of the overwhelmingly WHITE maga picks and hires have very low merit as far as experience and relevant qualifications. Flippin' white nationalist hypocrites.

I buy imported unsweetened puffed rice which seems very crazy like importing ice into Alaska. But I've never found a Thai product like that.

My experience at SCB Jomtien Beach Road -- on the spot. Fee is 200 I recall.

Right now it's tax filing season for tax year 2024. Any changes going forward if any will NOT change the situation for this tax filing season. So if you've determined you are supposed to get a TIN / file / pay tax for this current tax season, you still are.

We Don't Need Tax "Stamp-Pimps" in Thailand!?! - Integrity Legal - Law Firm in Bangkok | Bangkok Lawyer | Legal Services Thailand www.legal.co.th/resources/corporate-and-tax-advisory/thailand-tax-law/we-dont-need-tax-stamp-pimps-thailand/

Clear as mud is getting even clear as muddier.

Nice try. No cigar. Your idea would be: Gulf of the Americas 'Like the maga hat: Make the Americas Great Again Next ...

Feel the love.

Yeah, walk ins definitely not available. Even though they say expect 6 to 8 weeks multiple reports say 4 weeks is more typical. HOWEVER, due to the change in the U.S. government many federal workers will be leaving one way or another, and that will include embassy staff and passport renewal people. In other words, I would not be surprised if it's going to take much longer than 4 weeks going forward.

I was only speaking of the Medicare Advantage loophole which may or may not be fraud. it's kind of a grey area actually considering it is totally OK for sunbirds. It's only for emergencies and of course the non-US providers are getting paid for the services. If there are kinds of definite fraud going on that I am not aware, of course that bears investigation and action. But Musk's DOGE gambit is illegal and unconstitutional. There are legal and constitutional ways to address such matters.

Piranha? That's funny.

This is mostly of interest (but not only) to retired expat Americans particularly on O visas plus extensions. If you're in that group, I strongly suggest that you watch this video of Mr. Hart speaking to the Pattaya City Expats Club. Many others will probably find it of interest as well. Mr. Hart is an American lawyer based in Bangkok who obtained Thai citizenship. Mr. Hart suggests that MOST such expats should take a chill pill and just IGNORE taking any action on taxation, such as seeking a TIN and filing. If it ain't broke don't fix it he boldly says. Implying -- DO NOTHING. A reason he seems to vaguely account for this suggestion is because the USA left the OECD under Mr. Trump. He predicts Thailand will also reject OECD too. I don't pretend to fully understand some of the arcane economic issues Mr. Hart speaks about though or why exactly the USA leaving OECD should particularly encourage retired American expats to do nothing about tax. I suggest watching the video yourselves and to comment, as probably others will have a different perspective than I do on this matter. I do however feel it some ways he is somewhat speaking in RIDDLES and not specifics as far as what retired expats should actually do in terms of Thai taxation. You know like read between the lines kind of stuff. For example he's clear to say Americans only on social security, "savings" and modest pensions should probably go with if it ain't broke don't fix it do nothing mantra but he fails to get specific (indeed is adamant about refusing to get into specific cases) about his technical definition of "savings" and "pensions" as far as accessability or not under the Thai revenue with DTAs considered. He does cite interest and dividends on savings as a possible exception to do nothing though. Understandably as a profit seeking business (nothing wrong with that) he would like to sell his legal services so going into "too much" detail might be like a chef giving away his secret recipe. However, I am concerned that too many retired expats are going to take the if it ain't broke don't fix it slogan uncritically at face value without going deeper into their own specific situation.

I am less critical of Obama than Biden as far as the response to Putin's imperialism. Why? Because it was clear at the time that Europe was not excited by the theft of Crimea and I don't think there was any chance of a strong NATO response at that time. It was like, OK, Crimea specifically has a uniquely odd history with Russia, Europe isn't on fire over this, why should the U.S. light the fire? But under Biden a real coalition happened organically but Biden made the mistake of slow walking the response. Once Ukraine got through the first few days, he should have given Ukraine all they needed to win quickly and ignore Putin's nuclear fear mongering. That was the opportunity lost. It could have been over the first year with Ukraine clearly winning. But at least Biden helped enough with Europe for Ukraine to hold on. But Trump is now surrending to Putin at a time of weakness for Russia in their economy. That is evil.

A reminder to people. The topic here is described in the OP and video. I am not the topic here.