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Pawpcorn

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Posts posted by Pawpcorn

    U.S. passport delays may be four months long — and could get worse

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    This article: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/03/us-passport-delays-are-months-long-and-may-get-worse.html
    ...is painting a serious problem that can affect Americans wishing to continue residing in Thailand.

    Note, of course, that during the time it takes to get a replacement US Visa, you will NO LONGER HAVE a valid US Visa, in your possession.

    The bad-case scenario I'm picturing here is (as an example):
    Your Retirement Extension expires on November 15, so you make an appointment with Immigration for renewal of your retirement Extension to meet on November 2, 2023.
    In August, 2023, you happen to notice that your passport is expiring October 5, 2023, so you make an appointment to visit the US Embassy in Bangkok, on August 14, 2023.
    At that appointment, you request a new renewed passport, pay all the fees, and then, as needed, you surrender your passport.
    Thus begins the wait.

    Say it took the full FOUR MONTHS for renewal (and how much time would be added on to mailing it to the USA, and getting it mailed back to Thailand, then getting MAILED TO YOUR HOME? This could add a month, easy, to the process)  So suppose you've got a FIVE MONTH DELAY, in getting a replacement valid American passport, but in the BEST CASE scenario of the delay being only FOUR months... that would put getting the replacement US Passport in Mid DECEMBER, 2023.

    What exactly would happen if you show up at Immigration on your November 2 appointment, WITHOUT A PASSPORT?
    (I actually have no idea if Immigration has some work-around for this scenario, as this LONG DELAY for new US Passports Replacement is a recent problem)

    My POINT then, is that it behooves Americans to pay close attention to the expiration date on your passport, and schedule the Passport replacement procedure to where (in all cases of possible delay, taking into account this new CRAZY period of 4 month PLUS!) you will be meeting with Immigration with US Passport in hand.
    This COULD mean requesting your replacement US Passport 6 or even 9 months ahead of the actual expiration date of the passport, so there's absolutely NO WAY this will interfere with meeting with Immigration.
    This could require some clever planning, well in advance.

    • Confused 2

    Large size sneakers

    in General Topics

    Posted

    Yup, searched a LONG time, myself.

    Finally gave up and used Nike, Singapore, online.

    If you can patiently translate their THAI-ONLY pages, it's possible to perform a search based on size, but figuring out THAT HOOP took me a couple months and wasted purchases.

    It's not easy being a size 14 USA shoe size, living in Thailand, to state the obvious.

    ChatGPT fastest growing consumer app EVER !

    in IT and Computers

    Posted · Edited by Pawpcorn
    ChatSonic info added

    I use it daily for all sorts of things, and find it quite handy, since it can create software scripts, as well as providing personal and medical advice, too.

     

    However, its not containing ANY data after 2021 is frequently frustrating. 

     

    But check this out:

    Chatsonic is one of the newest and quite expansive ChatGPT alternatives that has been making the rounds lately. It has been built on top of ChatGPT, and hence, inherits its vast potential. However, this AI chatbot comes backed by more features and broader knowledge as it can access the Internet, which is something the former still can’t do.

     

    However, it's limited to 25 exchanges per day, on the free plan.

    Bank statement needed showing monthly income for Retirement Extension question

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    I will be visiting Udon Thani Immigration in mid-February to obtain yet another year's permission to stay, based upon retirement, with qualifying monthly (Social Security) payments, (over 65K Baht) transferred automatically into my Bangkok Bank Impound account, monthly.

     

    Question: Do I request just the impound account bank statements of all of 2022, OR the prior 13 months worth, so as to include January 2023 too?

     

    Thank you!

    CHATgpt can't get in

    in IT and Computers

    Posted

    Here's another:
    Query:

    Why is it that so many Americans seem to be deeply racist?

     

    Response:
    Racism is a complex and multifaceted issue that can manifest in many different ways. While it is true that racism exists in the United States, it is not accurate to make generalizations about an entire group of people. Additionally, it's important to note that racism is not limited to any one country or culture, and it exists all around the world.

     

    Racism in America has a long history, dating back to the country's origins in the transatlantic slave trade, and has been perpetuated by a variety of factors, including social, economic, and political structures. The legacy of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and discrimination against people of color have shaped the country in deep ways and continue to have an impact today.

     

    Additionally, racism can be perpetuated by unconscious bias, lack of exposure to diversity, and misinformation, among other factors. It is important to recognize that everyone is capable of holding racist views and that it is a societal issue that needs to be addressed through education, awareness, and action.

    It's important to remember that every individual is unique and should be evaluated on their own merit, rather than being judged based on stereotypes or generalizations.

     

    Racism is a complex issue and it's important to address it in a constructive and respectful way, and to understand the historical, social and economic factors that contribute to it. It's important to be aware of one's own biases and learn to recognize and challenge them. It's also important to support initiatives and organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

    • Like 1

    CHATgpt can't get in

    in IT and Computers

    Posted

    Here's one example:
    Query: 

    Why is it that Thai Ladyboys so often seem to have stunted emotional growth?

     

    Response: 

    It's not accurate to make generalizations about an entire group of people, as individuals can have a wide range of personalities and behaviors. Furthermore, it's important to remember that emotional maturity is a complex trait that can be influenced by a variety of factors, including cultural, social, and personal experiences.

     

    That being said, it's worth noting that individuals who identify as transgender, including those who identify as ladyboys, can face significant challenges and discrimination in their lives. These experiences can have an impact on their emotional well-being and maturity. In Thailand and many other countries, transgender individuals often face barriers to education and employment, as well as discrimination, violence, and social stigma. These experiences can affect the emotional growth and maturity of individuals, as they are constantly exposed to social and emotional stress.

     

    Additionally, in some cultures, the concept of gender and gender expression can be different than in other cultures and may not be fully understood or accepted, which can make it difficult for transgender individuals to express their true selves and grow emotionally.

     

    It's important to remember that every individual is unique and should be evaluated on their own merit, rather than being judged based on stereotypes or generalizations. People who identify as transgender have the same human rights as anyone else and deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and without discrimination.

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    the AI ChatGPT can be insightful, RE Thai culture! Look at this response re "Thai procrastination"!

    in General Topics

    Posted

    (Note that the ChatGPT is currently failing in Chrome, but functions fine in Firefox)

    Query: Why do Thais tend to procrastinate so much?

     

    Response: 

    The tendency for Thais to procrastinate is a complex issue that is influenced by a variety of cultural, social, and individual factors. Some possible reasons for this include:

    1. Cultural values: Thai culture places a strong emphasis on maintaining harmony and avoiding conflict, which may lead to a tendency to avoid making decisions or taking action that could potentially cause tension or upset others.

    2. Social norms: In Thai society, there is a strong expectation to conform to group norms and avoid standing out. This can lead to a lack of motivation to take initiative or make decisions independently.

    3. Education system: The Thai education system tends to focus on rote learning and memorization, which may not encourage independent thinking or problem-solving skills. This can make it difficult for Thai students to develop the skills necessary to plan and complete tasks effectively.

    4. Lack of urgency: Thailand has a more relaxed pace of life compared to many other countries, which can lead to a lack of urgency and a tendency to put things off.

    5. Fear of failure: Failure is viewed as a negative thing in Thai culture, which can lead people to avoid taking risks or trying new things for fear of failing.

    It's important to note that these are generalizations and not all Thai people procrastinate. Additionally, procrastination is a human behavior that can be found across cultures, and it can be influenced by personal factors such as personality, motivation, and mental health.
    ????

    • Like 1
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    Can someone tell me what this is?

    in IT and Computers

    Posted · Edited by Pawpcorn
    Addl. Info

    1 hour ago, dingdongrb said:

    Yepper, my previous one died and the two batteries were hard to source and cost about 70% of what a newer/bigger model did.

    Lazada's got affordable replacement UPS batteries, but must check to be exact same size, and same or better specs. I`ve needed to replace my UPS battery twice already. The push-on connectors on the battery terminals make it a pretty easy task, once past the partial disassembly.

     

    Update; I added a loud alarm to alert me to power outages, removed my laser printer from the UPS, and NOW I kill the power on the UPS as soon as I do a power-down of the PC.

    IE I no longer keep the wifi powered up forever off the UPS.

    The lead‐acid batteries live much longer, using this scenario. 

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