MrBrad

40 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

It's quite normal for employers and employees to contribute to a Provident Fund.  Some more details on this banks website (just as an example).....

https://www.scbam.com/en/pvd

Thank you, Upnotover; that's excellent information.

My son is finishing his 3^rd year at a university here in Thailand.  In looking at his future, I’ve been wondering what sector of employment he should look toward, i.e., public, private, NGO, international corporation, self-employment, or what and where.  His major is immaterial regarding this matter.

Are IRAs (individual retirement accounts) or other savings plans as part of payroll deductions by employers a recognized practice in Thailand?  Where might one find an employer who even matches the percent of contribution--at least up to a certain percentage?  My thought is that if the employee were left to set up and contribute to his or her retirement account without the employer’s help and implementation, it wouldn’t get done.  It would be too easy to skip deposits as well as to dip into and deplete the funds long before retirement.

In particular, do you know if private or public/government universities offer and encourage retirement savings accounts for their employees?

Thanks for your advice.

Try this place near Jing-Jai Market and Talat Kahm Tieng.  They have lots of packing and shipping supplies.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/bN92uDan4ACKihZV7

21 hours ago, Bill97 said:

Yes there is 

Sourdough Saturdays at Biscotti on the south side of Mae Rim.

https://www.facebook.com/biscottichiangmai

https://maps.app.goo.gl/EdBNFComwuMdwmG99

The service is very slow.  Mine took over a month.  Remain patient and continue to check if it was received.

Make arrangements for automatic payment of your utility bills through your bank. You'll never have to think about being late again, and it's painless.

Dr. Chanakarn - Orthopedics Clinic

346 Charoen Prathet Rd

https://maps.app.goo.gl/92fTVhe3R7fHpZvP7

For those who favor sourdough bread, this place might be worth a visit one Saturday.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/L1tc72bZnrzh7PUEA

It's been explained to me that according to Buddha's teachings, one should not take a life.  So, in some circles, the slaughtering is done by a non-Buddhist.  As for eating, well, one individual told me that since the animal is dead, it might as well be eaten (or something to that affect).

I was at Immigration near the airport last week.  I overheard a man who had just gotten his extension.  He'd expected to get another 30 days, but they gave him only 7 days for his 1900 baht. 

They explained that he's allowed 2 extensions, the first one is for 30 days, but the second one is for 7 days.  The price is the same for both.

Understandably, he was not very happy.

I've found that carefully and clearly printing in block letters the address of the recipient is the surest way to get a letter to the proper destination, and even that can fail, I suppose.

One year my aunt sent me a birthday greeting card in October, but I didn't get it until December because someone or some machine in the US postal service thought that it was bound for Ireland, not Thailand.  She had addressed the card in cursive script rather than printing out my address. 

Moral of the story is to take the extra time to clearly print the recipient's address in order to lessen any confusion.

22 hours ago, JeffersLos said:

 EMS1669 also have an emergency App.

 

Set it up on their phone, or anybody's phone, in an emergency it can be called with one button push and they will automatically know their location, name, well, it will know everything about them.

On my Android I tried "EMS1669" as suggested.  I got "Looking for EMS1669? This app isn't available for your device because it was made for an old ..." 

Is the app still valid and, if so, does anyone know another way to find it?  Thanks.

Has anyone had experience with Form W-8 BEN?  It's a certificate of foreign status of beneficial owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting (Individuals).  I'm considering leaving some of my IRA investments to a Thai citizen upon my death.  I've learned that the form above needs to be on file at the financial institution.  The instructions for the form are quite daunting, however.  Does anyone know how to sift through the legalese or where to find someone in Chiang Mai who can help?   Thanks much.

47 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

BNH Hospital in Bangkok is a very good hospital and they gave me a good price for a prostate biopsy (I self insure).

I was seeing Dr Suntchai Wirotsaengthong back then.

I have just had my prostate removed here at BHS Samui (Bangkok Hospital Samui). Good surgeon/staff. Tired and old building. Expensive. They eventually gave me a discount.

Bangkok Hospital Phuket might have been a better option for me. Cheaper than BHS and a much better hospital/facilities.

What does "self insure" mean?

This isn't exactly a health-related question, but then again, it sort of is. 

I used to buy Dove hand soap here until just a few months ago when I could no longer find it available anywhere.  I like the fact that the original white bar is almost scent-free.  Has anyone here found a similar scent-free bar soap, regardless of brand name?  I've asked at several stores, and the clerks say they haven't heard of such a thing in Thailand.  Surely, I cannot be the only person who is sensitive to heavily perfumed soaps.

Oh, and I did order what was supposed to be the original Dove bar soap through one of the online outlets here.  The product that I received was not the original white bar, but a strong, vanilla-scented variety which was mispackaged in the white wrapping.  Quite disappointing.  Thanks for any ideas offered.

Just a word about driving: Be sure to get an international driver's license.  You'll need it for being legal when driving a motorcycle or car.  The cops love targeting foreigners for just this type of thing.  Wear a helmet as well (which may be a good thing), or pay a fine.

Bicycling is the best way to get around.  I use my bike far more than my motorcycle, going everywhere from Mae Tang to Lamphun, Doi Saket to Hang Dong, and all over the city.  Traveling the highways can be somewhat more dangerous, but just stay to the left and you should be OK.  That said, always expect the unexpected; this isn't Kansas. There are lots of quieter local roads if you get out of town.  In town, be alert and aware of the uneven road surfaces, especially in the old part of town with all the road construction going on.

This company provides bicycle tours; I don't know if they rent bikes by the day.  If not, perhaps they can suggest another shop for you. 

https://mountainbikethailand.com/

17 hours ago, Barley said:

 

Where is this place located?

FIY: Dr Chanakarn is away this week.  He'll be back in his office on October 9.