Galong

1 hour ago, Enaka said:

What has been your experience actually meeting and talking with other seasoned expats at restaurants?

Mine has been terrible.

I definitely wouldn't call it fulfilling by any stretch.  It's just nice to speak to someone who is fluent in English sometimes. I'm the only Westerner in the area where I live.  My wife is my best friend, but there is only so much we have in common and can talk about at length. 

I Skype my very old mother twice a day.  That is nice for both of us. I video chat with my slightly younger brother a couple of times per week too. That's always really nice. 

1 minute ago, 10years said:

Please keep us. posted. I also want to know what that QR code is good for and how long it's valid.

Will do.  My wife went ahead and contacted our accountant and they decided to get me a new SS card.  Apparently that's good for only two years, but it's very easy to get.  All they needed was a signed copy of the two main pages on my passport... the photo page and the visa page.  Now, let's see how long it actually takes to arrive. 

Cheers and thanks again for your informative post.

18 minutes ago, Enaka said:

Allanos -

Galong - 

 

So where/how do you meet other expats in your age range?

I have a couple of restaurants that I cycle to where seasoned expats tend to hang out. I don't like bars, so that limits me quite a bit.  I also don't like going out at night.  That REALLY limits me.  To be frank, I know very few folks my age.  I have some friends who are younger, but not many.

I have six rescued doggies, so they're my most dependable and loyal friends. ????

1 hour ago, Enaka said:

Over the years, I've tried five different gyms here.

99% youngsters.

Yep, been to a few gyms and left all of them for the same 2 reasons: loud "music" and folks not wiping their sweat off the machines when they leave.  I cycle 30 - 45-ish km every day for health and fitness now. It's pretty wild in traffic.  It's like a video game with real-life consequences. ????????

On 11/9/2021 at 8:15 AM, 10years said:

For anyone with questions about SSO, please collect a yellow booklet from any SSO branch. It’s free and in good English.

 

SSO used to issue paper cards in Thai. They were also good for 2 years. If you needed a copy or replacement, the SSO branch would print one out on the spot for free. Now Thais only need to show the hospital their ID card. Aliens are now provided a plastic card in Thai. A replacement card costs B10 and takes 60 days. I had to get one myself. In case you change your address, be sure the address for mailing the card gets updated.

 

The SSO used to mail you a blue letter verifying receipt of your monthly contribution, but now they send SMS messages.

 

There are 3 sections. Two are for Voluntarily Insured Person. S33 is for employees, 39 for retirees and 40 for the self-employed. Note that when you leave a company, your 33 terminates. Your coverage does not automatically continue and can’t be extended. You must apply for 39 and be approved. 39 has the same benefits as 33 except unemployment insurance.

 

The monthly contribution is B432 but the government occasionally lowers it to relieve the burden on people during trying times. There are many payment channels, including 7-Eleven.

 

To qualify for 39 you only need to pay in to 33 for 12 months.

 

For ThaiPass, to show proof, you can open an online account on the SSO’s website. When you log in, the first page that comes up is your eligibility status. Another page will show your contribution record.

 

There are a couple phone apps that will produce a SSO Connect QR code. But you don’t have to download an app. On your browser, open ssoconnect.mywallet.co. Enter your 13-digit SSO number and Thai cellphone number, then click send. On the resulting page, click the orange button at the bottom. Choose Android or iPhone. Click on the left Mywallet button.

 

If anyone knows how to use the QR code, please post here.

Thanks for all of the info!  I got as far as downloading MyWallet and followed the instructions... nothing seemed to happen.   I started on my PC, then went to my Android phone.  I had to flop back a couple of times on my phone to get to the options. By closing the app a couple of times and restarting it, I found Social Security as one option and clicked on it.  It gave me a digital pass with my name, amount that I'll get when I retire (at the top right), the amount that I have to pay (0 Baht), and a QR code. 

All I can figure out is that I now have a digital SS pass. I assume I can show this to someone else to scan to prove that I have coverage... 'tis a head-scratcher as they don't really say what this pass does. 

I've sent a message to my accountant to see if she knows what to do.  

43 minutes ago, blackcab said:

@Crossy My staff have visited the Social Fund office and they have ordered a Social Fund card for me.

 

Apparently the card will be posted to me at my work address in the next 60 days.

 

Cost 10 baht.

 

Let's see how long this takes.

Crikey, that's a long time for a simple print and mail task. ????

21 hours ago, Chad3000 said:

I recall someone telling me I get the money back AND I can continue in the system.

That would be really nice, but I doubt that's actually the case.  The head chap at SS in Phuket Town told me I could only pick one.  ☹

My wife and I went to the SS office in Phuket Town a few years ago and talked to the big boss.

We were told that when I retire I have three options:

1. A lump sum payment.  This was over 300,000 baht!
2. A meager monthly payment... can't remember the amount but I remember calculating that I'd have to live way beyond what is normal to match the 300K. 
3. Keep paying into SS and retain the healthcare benefits for life.

Option 3... it's a no-brainer.  ????

4 minutes ago, Chad3000 said:

I recall years ago reading a lot of guys in Pattaya had good things to say about some hospital around Sathahip??

I live in Phuket Town and the Mission Hospital is 1 km from my house!  It's a great hospital and I'm so glad it's one of the SS hospital on the island.  The other hospitals pale in comparison from what I understand. I'm lucky. 

I hope you find a hospital that you like. 

5 minutes ago, blackcab said:

My understanding is that you have got 6 months after you retire to get yourself enrolled onto the voluntary payments scheme. The last payment amount I heard was 432 baht per month.

Yep, 432 baht is what I heard too. My Thai wife pays 500 baht/month, but she's still working. I don't know if that would drop to 432 baht if she retired.

I didn't know about the 6-month grace period. I would do it right away just to play it safe.   Cheers.

8 minutes ago, Chad3000 said:

I was told I can maintain my SS after retirement for life.

 

I've only had Thai Social Security for about 5-6 years.

 

Any idea when I leave my employer what needs to be done?

It seems confusing. I've read that you have to pay into the system for 180 months, BUT I've also heard that you can voluntarily keep it going by paying every month.  My wife is a director of a company, so she can't get SS through her company, but she can pay by herself into the system and get it.  I don't know if this applies to foreigner or only to Thais.   I recommend seeking proper advice for the SS folks.  I'd hate to give you bad info. 

7 minutes ago, blackcab said:

 

How did you manage that?

I've worked in Thailand for over 28 years. Whether you are Thai or foreign, if you pay into the system for 180 months (15 years), you've got SS for life.  I'm getting ready to retire.  Apparently, I'll still have to pay about 500 Baht/month to retain the privilege, so the "for life" bit does not mean for free... go figure.  That's fine. It's a stellar system and worth every baht.

3 hours ago, new2here said:

New cards come automatically with a 2 year window of validity.

Thanks for the very clear and detailed info. ????

I have Thai Social Security for life, so I was hoping that a new card would be for life, but whatever... two years is fine.  I'm in the computer system at my hospital (just like Thai folks), so this would only be if I visit my family and need to get back in.

6 minutes ago, John Drake said:

Don't know about the married part. I was employed by Mahidol and retired at the end of my last contract. At Nakhon Pathom immigration, they asked for my retirement letter, wrote some sentences in Thai in my passport, and then sent me to Chaengwattana to do the new extension. (Mahidol's address was used for my earlier extensions and so used Nakhon Pathom. Then had to change to my physical address in Bangkok and go to Chaengwattana.) To this day, I still extend for purposes of retirement off my original Non-B.

Cool!  Thanks for the info.  I was unaware of this option.  I'll look into it further now that I've heard your story. 

My wife is the director of our company, so a nice retirement letter 'should' be easy. ????????

1 minute ago, John Drake said:

You can just extend the non-B for reason of retirement. That is what I did six years ago. No need to change to a non-O

Hi John... Oh, I didn't know that was an option.  Can it be a non-B married?  It says "married to Thai" in my passport now with my non-B.  I don't really care if there is a difference between how much money I need to keep in a Thai bank (400K or 800K), but I'd like to know if there are any advantages either way.   Cheers. 

24 minutes ago, Pib said:

...And in mid Sep 2021 I did my 2nd marriage extension at CW with the old, underlying OA visa....no insurance required since it's a marriage vs retirement extension.

OK, so I didn't understand there is a difference between a marriage and retirement visa extension.  I mean, I know the difference, but didn't know the difference would potentially affect this insurance issue on an OA.  

I'm still working, married, but have a non-B visa.  I plan on retiring soon and changing to an O visa extension.  I guess, from what you're saying, I should specify that I want a 'married to a Thai' extension instead of a 'retirement' extension.

Also, I have Thai Social Security for live (had a work permit and paid into SS for close to 30 years).  I HOPE that if they ever change the requirement for O visas that this will count as sufficient healthcare insurance. ????????????

7 minutes ago, kiwikeith said:

He who pays the piper calls the tune! Without mentioning names I think some Thai Insurance companies are thinking they will cash in on the gold rush, falungs flying into LOS by the plane loads, after the enlightened ones open the gates, 7 eleven Tesco will have live concerts outside, beer will flow, happy birday to you. 

Hmm, and when foreigners don't show up, it'll be us 'picking' on poor Thailand... ????

What about those of us who have worked in Thailand long enough to have Thai Social Security for life, which covers healthcare for life?  I assume Thai SS would be accepted in lieu of additional/supplemental 3mil coverage.  I'm thinking about turning in my work permit and getting a Non-O retirement extension. 

On 9/23/2021 at 7:50 PM, Pib said:

Yes...it completed on the spot and then that local Bangkok Bank branch probably relays it to the HQ Bangkok Bank main branch on Silom Road in Bangkok who will then email/fax it to the Manila SS Office.  Or, you can email/mail it yourself.

 

Also, keep in mind there are two different types of direct deposit methods. 

 

One is the original ACH transfer method where the Bangkok Bank NY branch routing number along with your in-Thailand branch acct number is used.  This method is for for the restricted direct deposit acct with Bangkok Bank where you can only withdraw/transfer funds by physically visiting any branch, no debit card allowed, acct can be in your name only, etc..

 

The other direct deposit method is the International Direct Deposit (IDD) method which became available for Thailand about 2 years ago and does not use the NY branch ACH routing number....instead the U.S. Treasury/SSA converts to baht on their end and sendsvia SWIFT....uses the SWIFT code and acct number of your Thailand bank.  IDD can go to any bank in Thailand (Bangkok Bank, K-bank, Krungsri, SCB, etc) and can go to a regular savings/checking acct....no restrictions at all....can even go to a joint acct.

Thanks Pib.  I was unaware of the two types.  I thought the first one you mentioned was the only one available.  I assume that's what my bank branch signed me up for, but maybe I should check.  Thanks for the detailed info... Cheers. 

On 9/23/2021 at 10:59 AM, walt1 said:

If I remember right I took the direct deposit form to the bank to be completed by them on the spot, then sent that to Manila SS office. No approval from BB just filling out the form.

OK, thanks for the info.  Yes, the BB branch in Phuket Town filled it all out. I sent copies to Manila.  They apparently got right on it as the new direct deposit account showed up on the online SSA website almost immediately.

I guess I can just relax now and wait for it to happen.    Cheers. 

I'm waiting for the Bangkok Bank to approve my application that I did at the Phuket Town branch on the 9th of this month.  This is for my USA Social Security monthly deposit.

I was at the bank today (for something else) and asked them they knew 'about' when my direct deposit application would be approved. They seemed disinterested and merely said, "they'll email you." Hmm, does it really work like this?

Did any of you have any hiccups/problems? How long did it take for the bank to get back to you saying it was all approved? Or, did they NOT actually get back to you?

14 minutes ago, BestB said:

In my opinion banks have themselves to blame. They knew people can not make payments , should have allowed people to pay whatever they can until things get better, instead banks insisted on full amounts , people default , banks take away cars, property but can not sell or sell for peanuts

Yeah, I agree. It's like they don't understand running a bank and not accepting high-risk customers.  They've really shot themselves in the feet with this.  Banks need us to trust them... that's gone.

6 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

This has been planned for quite a while, still it's bad timing, think I'll keep my balances below 1m

It has happened before too.  Yeah, alas, everything seems to be 'bad timing' these days.