Galong

I'm sure it'll be a good 'show.'

It would be nice if I could delete this topic. Admin, can you delete this topic, please?

8 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

There is nothing to this rumor.

Next

...

It makes too much sense, so it's probably just a rumor. The friend who told me usually doesn't spread silly rumors, that's why I posted here.

It makes sense on many levels to have SSA form 7162 sent electronically to save on postage and to take both the US and Thai postal systems out of the transaction. We could still have to sign it and post it back, thus preventing potential fraud, but it would (sort of) assure that we get them. I never got one this year.

A friend said he heard it was going to happen, but can't remember where he saw that news and I can't find anything online.

3 hours ago, flexomike said:

All is well, wives deposit has arrived

Yep, got mine at some point today too... didn't see when it came it, but it's here. thanks to the dreadful exchange rate, the COLA barely made an impact. 🤦

Correction: my wife tells me I DID get a COLA letter a while back. It's a good thing one of us still has remnants of a memory. 🤦‍♂️

2 hours ago, JerryM said:

Yes via post to my address in Thailand.

That's a concern. I never got my form 7162 via post this year. I have every other year. I didn't get this COLA letter either. My address has been the same for 25+ years. I hope my address isn't somehow an issue. Thanks for letting me know.

46 minutes ago, racyrick said:

You received your COLA increase letter in the mail last month?

I got my personal Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) notice online in the message section of My Social Security. I didn't get anything by post. Did others get it by post?

I haven't gotten my Bangkok Bank deposit for this month yet. I assume it will arrive tomorrow since it was a big holiday. My Soc Sec says paid on the 2nd. IF there was a problem with form 7162, would there likely be some sort of notice on the My Soc Sec site warning me of an upcoming problem or would the Feb payment not showing up being the first time I would know there is a problem. I did the phone call method on Sept 2nd. I have received nothing since then by mail or on my site stating there was an issue. I'm assuming it's all good, but who knows. 🤷

On 12/10/2025 at 5:43 PM, MJoe said:

Hey Guys,  Does anyone have an update on the Proof of Life for 2025?  Any evidence (other than that one email from some random officer in Manilla).  Anything official that they are waiving the manual forms for 2025?  Do we have to do the phone attestation?  Or do we have no idea?  I sent the manual form but didn’t do phone attestation….

I haven't read that anywhere. It would make sense that the government would waive the form this time, but nothing this government does makes sense, so who knows. Expect the worst under this totally inept administration.   

6 hours ago, FolkGuitar said:

I'm staunchly against virtually everything trump wants to do with America... except this.

I believe that 'VOTING RIGHTS' should be given only to those who have worked to help the country, not just to those who were accidentally born on this side of the border.
Two years of active service, either Civil or Military, working to improve America, then you can vote in its elections.
All other benefits of birthright citizenship should still apply.

Oh sure, let’s only let people vote after they’ve “helped the country.”
So, um, who decides that? A government committee? A vibes-based scoring system? Your cousin who thinks mowing his lawn is patriotic duty?

And what counts as “helping”? Teacher? Nurse? Caregiver? Or just “whatever the current government feels like”?

This plan turns voting rights into a permission slip handed out by whoever’s in power. What could go wrong?

On 11/6/2025 at 8:28 PM, PerfidiousAlbion said:

I’ve just come back to Thailand for the first time in two years to see my father, and honestly, I’m in absolute disbelief. How on earth are people STILL wearing masks everywhere? And I mean everywhere. Out in the open sun, alone on motorbikes, in empty corridors, walking on the beach – you name it. The most illogical, pointless situations imaginable… yet the masks are still glued on like some national uniform.

I used to love the warmth, personality and vibrancy of this country. Thailand always had a strong identity – expressive, open, full of character. Now? It feels like the soul has been completely drained. It’s like everyone is hiding behind the same blank expressionless sheet of fabric. A faceless society. That’s honestly what it feels like.

And the worst part? It’s clear this isn’t going away. There’s no sign that this obsession will ever stop. People seem terrified to break from the habit, as if the mask has become a permanent part of Thai culture. How did something meant to be temporary turn into a bizarre long-term behavioural ritual?

Tourism numbers make total sense to me now. Why would people “flock” back to a country where you can’t even see anyone’s face? Where the atmosphere feels controlled, muted, and borderline dystopian? It’s not welcoming – it’s just depressing. This is not the Thailand people fell in love with.

I never imagined I’d say this, but coming back has been a real shock. It’s like returning to a place you once knew only to find it’s been replaced by some strange masked-version of itself. Atmosphere stinks of covid paranoia - nobody give me this pm25 bull<deleted> either - there is sod all pm25 inside 7-11

Ah yes, the great mystery of why people in a tropical country with ongoing Covid cases, flu, RSV, TB, and other airborne threats might still wear masks. Shocking, really.

Maybe it’s not “paranoia,” but basic disease prevention, cultural courtesy, and, you know, not wanting to share your respiratory souvenirs with Grandma. Thailand’s packed streets, crowded markets, and spotty ventilation make masks a smart move, even if you don’t personally enjoy them while buying your Slurpee.

Call it what you want, but protecting yourself and others isn’t “soulless.” It’s just hygiene with manners.

 I’ve lived here 33 years, and I’m fit, healthy, and not exactly the paranoid type, but after catching Covid a couple of months ago, I’m still dealing with lingering symptoms (Long Covid, perhaps). So yeah, I appreciate not inhaling other people’s exhaled mystery particles, thanks.

Ah yes, the classic “I was hit and I turned out fine” defense... says adults who think violence teaches discipline. Reality: violence teaches violence. Somehow, current violence is 'justified' because of previous violence... seriously?
 

And, nothing screams “I’m perfectly well-adjusted” like proudly defending child assault because you can’t imagine parenting without caveman tactics. Intelligent/caring parents use consequences, loss of privileges or... and here's a wild idea... communication. You know, methods that actually build respect instead of trauma.

1 hour ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Waiting for the TAT to promote this, like "Visit Thailand, where you can travel back in time to the Prohibition, where you can only drink beer from a coffee cup!" 😆 

I like your comments... and LOVE your "Spitting Image" avatar... kudos!  That show is hilarious!  I only recently started watching it. 

On 11/8/2025 at 10:45 AM, Pib said:

Wife's SSA pension payments via IDD for Oct and Nov arrived just fine to her Bangkok Bank account.....both arrived early on the 3rd of the month as usual. 

Yep, my Oct and Nov payments arrived in my Bangkok Bank Direct Deposit account on schedule as well. I wonder if anyone else was snubbed either of their payments? 

6 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Entitlements must still be funded and if the funds are  not available, then the entitlements cannot be paid.  The government has already agreed to pay  SNAP. The problem and delay that arises is in the manner of how  it  will be paid. The federal government says it fulfilled its duty by transfer to state agencies who disburse the funds. The Plaintiffs and the Judge say no. The Judge says that  his initial order is only satisfied when the  beneficiaries receive the funds. You have missed this point. I anticipate that the  federal government will appeal the order for that reason. 

 

I am not wrong about the funding basis.  Please refer to the RI  ruling.  U.S. District Judge John McConnell said the government could transfer $4 billion from the Child Nutritional Program to fully fund SNAP benefits 

 

For reference sake, the court case was brought by  RHODE ISLAND STATE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES; NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NONPROFITS; SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION; MAIN STREET ALLIANCE; CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS; CITY OF PAWTUCKET; CITY OF PROVIDENCE; CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE; CITY OF BALTIMORE; CITY OF COLUMBUS; CITY OF DURHAM; CITY OF NEW HAVEN; AMOS HOUSE; DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMUNITY CENTER; EAST BAY COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM; FEDERAL HILL HOUSE ASSOCIATION; THE MILAGROS PROJECT; UNITED WAY OF RHODE ISLAND; NEW YORK LEGAL ASSISTANCE GROUP; BLACK SHEEP MARKET, entities which have an interest in the program continuing.

 

The judge stated that the funding is based upon the use of contingency funds. On November 1, 2025, he gave the  federal administration two options;  First, the Defendants could, within their discretion, use Section 32 funds, contingency funds, or both to fully fund November SNAP benefits.   Second, the Defendants could use contingency funds to make a partial payment of SNAP benefits. The government stated that they would partially fund SNAP by using $4.65 billion in contingency funds to cover 50% of the benefits due to each SNAP. At the beginning of Fiscal Year 2026, there was a total of $6 billion in SNAP contingency funds. The Food and Nutrition Service (“FNS”) used $450 million from those funds for SNAP State agencies’ administrative expenses and an additional $300 million for the Nutrition Assistance Program (“NAP”) block grants for Puerto Rico and American Samoa.  The defendants stated that “USDA has determined not to use Section 32 Child Nutrition Program funds or other funds to provide full SNAP payments for the month of November.”   Their reasoning behind electing not to fully fund the program was that doing so: (1) “stray[s] from Congressional intent” that Section 32 funds “be used only for Child Nutrition Programs”; (2) would leave a “$4 billion gap” in Child Nutrition Program funding that “Congress would not replenish … with annual appropriations”; and (3) “would leave 8 Child Nutrition Programs, which feed no fewer than 29 million children, with an unprecedented and significant shortfall.”

 

The  dispute now is over how the benefits will be delivered. The court is imposing a questionable burden in respect to the delivery of the benefits. If there are no government workers available to process the payments, how can they be processed?

 

There is a reason why the biggest supporters of SNAP benefits are  large corporations. Walmart stated  that in 2018 it received 20% of revenues  from SNAP payments. Coca Cola, Pepsi-Frito-Lay.  When the    emergency boost to SNAP was  stopped in 2024,  Kraft Heinz reported that its  Kraft Heinz does not disclose its specific revenue from SNAP benefits, but reports indicate that its sales tied to SNAP purchases decreased to 13% from 20%.  walmart's revenues tied to SNAP purchases is  estimated to be 20%. SNAP should be renamed the large food retailer and processor subsidy program.

 

Oh boy, where to start.
 

“Entitlements can’t be paid if funds aren’t available.” That's just adorable... as if Congress doesn’t routinely pull money out of thin air for wars, tax cuts, and bailouts. Apparently, feeding people is where fiscal discipline suddenly shows up. Are you OK with this prioritizing?
 

“The government already fulfilled its duty by transferring funds to the states.”  Um, sure, because passing the buck counts as compassion. Try telling your landlord you “transferred rent responsibilities” to your neighbor.
 

“The issue is how it’s paid.”  I'll translate that for you: bureaucratic hot potato with hungry people in the middle.
 

“The Judge says payment isn’t complete until beneficiaries receive funds.”  Shocking that a judge thinks paying people means actually paying them.
 

“I’m not wrong about the funding basis.”  Always a strong argument when you have to declare it yourself. 🤪
 

“SNAP should be renamed the large food retailer subsidy program.” Finally, something we can agree on. Walmart thanks you for your patriotism.

On 11/6/2025 at 1:48 AM, Patong2021 said:

 

You don't understand the benefits programs do you?  There are specific children's food assistance programs and SNAP is not one of them, and never was. There is an assumption that  SNAP aka food stamps feeds children, and it comes from the fact that a large number of the beneficiaries are families. Unfortunately, the SNAP program is not as directed, nor as focused as the specific child aid programs. It is dominated by adult beneficiaries. Under SNAP, the benefits can be used to purchase junk food like soda, cakes, cookies, potato chips. This is not done with the other programs. There are 4 ongoing programs that specifically feed children in the USA.  In fiscal year 2024, a total of 9.3 billion meals were served through the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program combined, at a cost of $28.2 billion. These are prepared and minimize the exposure to junk food.

 

Some people will suffer if the SNAP funding is not there. Most will be adults. Children are still accessing food through  their  specific programs which are drawing down on the contingency funds. A  draw down on the contingency funds to support SNAP, will reduce the amount available to those funds.

Yeah, actually I do.  The claim that SNAP is dominated by adult beneficiaries is hilariously backward; roughly two-thirds of all SNAP funding goes to households with children, the elderly, or people with disabilities, and historically, children are the majority of all individual beneficiaries. So, yes, surprise, SNAP is very much a children's food program.
 

Also, the notion that these federal programs are all duking it out for a tiny slice of "contingency funds" is misplaced drama. SNAP and the school meal programs are generally entitlement programs, meaning they're funded separately and guaranteed to pay out for every eligible person, not drawing down from a common, finite pot. The only thing they're competing for is who can serve the most needy families.

I'd say "nice try", but it really wasn't.

I'm still researching Thai Social Security healthcare after retiring.  My accountant just said, "With foreigners, you can apply M39 but they might not approve for you. As we try to do this case before and they say they might not approved and they will give you the pension rather than cover for health benefits."

I'm 70 and have pre-existing conditions. I never bought health insurance as Thai Soc Sec covers everything... very pleased. 

Nothing has been changed in the Royal Gazette, but many things indicate that the individual officer at the SS can be the determining factor. That's scary and of questionable legality.

I asked my accountant if I can simply keep working until I die and keep my Soc Sec healthcare. She said yes, that is a viable option. There is no age limit for 'retaining' a work permit. There is a limit for applying for a new one from what I've read. 

What a pain. I visited the head of Soc Sec in Phuket Town a few years ago for clarification on this very matter (keeping healthcare after retiring) and he said I could choose that option... now, it seems to be a grey area without any actual law being passed on the matter. 🤦😕

Seems we've run out of related things to discuss. 😕