Equatorial

I applied first week of February this year with the target of starting the SS pension in March. I was notified that the process was finalized by the end of February. My pension started with the March payment on time.

What is the difference between a classifier and a partitive? I always thought of the the Thai classifiers as what you describe as English partitives. Two boxes of cereal. Three loaves of bread. Four flocks of seagulls. Etc. In fact, that parallel helped me learn to use the Thai classifiers...

Hi @Tod Daniels - based on your post I am in a similar stage with Thai language as you were when you wrote this post in 2011. I agree with the quoted sentiment, and I have looked into learning the class and tone rules. However, I found it incredibly tedious and ineffective. I spent hours trying to internalize those rules and I felt I was getting nowhere. The consonant classes alone would probably be manageable, but when you add the tone marks that modify the tones in what appears to be a completely chaotic manner, it seems like an insurmountable task to remember all that! Schoolchildren in Thai schools go through years of reciting the tables with all of the combinations of the tones, so it makes sense that it becomes second nature to them. So, here is my question (to everyone, not just Tod Daniels) - what approach and method do you recommend to master the consonant classes, tones, and tone marks?

A similar philosophy is nicely captured in an outstanding book The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi. https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Be-Disliked-Phenomenon-Happiness/dp/1501197274

I understand that this is the requirement. I am curious, what are the option in case the balance drops below either the 800k during the 5 months or below 400k during the remaining 7 months. Let's say someone has had several extensions but for the current extension there was a brief (or even not so brief) period of time when the balance dropped. Are there options other than leaving Thailand and starting all over?

And yet, and yet... never happened to you doesn't mean it never happens. TIT.

I doubt that Thailand has any rules against it. However, entering with the Aussie passport she would (most likely) be subject to the rules as a foreigner, e.g. visa (on arrival or otherwise), limited length of stay, etc. The thread below may also be of interest... m

I would never make such an assumption!

It's been my experience that on several occasions, but not always, the Thai immigration officials, when stamping out a Thai passport, asked to see the foreign passport. (I do understand that airline staff may do so as well.)

I think the entire thread rather than a single post has a label "Opinion." I too am curious how those labels are assigned...

First of all, @DrJack54 - many thanks for all your helpful and informative posts, in this thread and many others!!! How about for EOS based on marriage using income method - do the funds need to be show from abroad? Or does that only apply to the EOS based on retirement?

I just want to make sure I have all the details right; EOS based on marriage requires 400k in the Thai bank seasoned for two months, right? I don't believe it requires proof that money were sourced from abroad does it? What are all the cases requiring proof of money sourced from overseas?

Yeah, having world-wide coverage is totally awesome! Btw, I am in the same boat as you. Apart from here, I spend a portion of my time in the U.S. and also in Europe, and it's good to know that I am covered. Even though the premium eats up a substantial portion of my pension, it is well worth it to me!

Unfortunately, BC/BS "plus one" is almost as expensive as "family." The rate really goes down for "self only." Look into it so that you're not surprised when you make the change.

Daughter would create a Google Account, providing her mobile phone during the registration. She would further create a Google Voice number. Finally, she would give you access by providing the login credentials. Then you could log in here and use Google Voice (and all other Google services). No different from someone creating the Google Account in their home country and then using it (and its services) while travelling to a different country. An important thing to point out - there is nothing illegal or even fishy about this. (I haven't read the small print in Google End User Agreement but, unless this is done for a nefarious purpose, there should be no issues.)

AIS offers a similar deal. At 2.5 Baht per minute, why bother with anything else.

If the wife has status in Australia based on her Australian citizenship, which is most likely, exiting Australia with a Thai passport would flag her as being in violation. So it makes sense to get the tix and exit Australia with an Australian passport/name. If DTAC is not required for Thai citizens, then she doesn't need to do it. She's entering Thailand as a Thai citizen, and her Australian status, citizenship, and name are irrelevant. At times, Thai immigration will ask to see the foreign passport. E.g. when existing Thailand with a Thai passport without a foreign visa. I believe the intent is to verify that the traveler can actually enter the destination country and, in my experience, this has never caused any issues.

The page https://www.ais.th/en/consumers/package/international/international-call/00500 shows the rate of 2.5 Baht per minute for calls to the US for AIS Postpaid customers. Has anyone used that service? Does one need to apply before using it?

Can anyone recommend some good Western style food places in Khun Han or Kantharalak areas in the Sri Saket province? I am new to the area, and most of the time I eat Thai food, but once in a while I get a craving for a rare steak or Chicken Cordon Bleu...

I just realized that I won't have 400k in the Thai bank for 60 days by the time my 90-day Non-O expires. Is there a way to extend the 90-day Non-O for 30 days or 60 days, so that the 400k has time to age, or do I have to leave Thailand and restart with another 90-day Non-O?

Thanks for the feedback. (Yes I am aware of the different financials and documentation requirements.)

In March, I arrived with a marriage-based 90-day NON-O. I am getting ready to apply for my first EOS. Is it possible to switch to a retirement-based EOS on the first application? How about on the subsequent EOS applications? Are there any rules and/or requirement when switching between retirement-based and marriage-based (in addition to the basic requirements)? I will be applying at the Sri Saket office, in case it matters. Thanks.

Google Voice? If it's blocked by the country of call origin, using a VPN may work.

I apologize for my ignorance, but what does the acronym "CW" stand for? (I read the entire thread and I can't figure it out from the context...) Thanks!

Thanks, Gamma! I still say it would be easiest to just share the Google Drive files with my Google account. If you won't used direct Message at this site, is there some way I can send you my Google Account name without posting it publicly on the forum board for everyone to see?