mouse

Why have the prices throughout the world dropped substantially and here in Thailand they seem to be remaining the same. The price of gasoline in the USA has dropped to less than $2.00 per gallon. That equates to 15 baht per liter. In Thailand pricing are still double that.

Since I plan to bring a 1951 Chevrolet Pickup into Thailand in rusted condition and then restore it here,what can I expect to pay in taxes and duties total?

The vehicle cost me $3000 total. Body parts would arrive as a separate truck bed, 4 fenders and the cab and hood of the truck.

When here, the entire body.will be redone and painted after restoration from rust condition to perfection and then a new engine, transmission will replace the originals.

The original frame (totally rebuilt and powder coated) will be imported to include suspension, brakes and steering components.

Is there an agent that can help or am I on my own?

I see this as a 5 year project.

Asking for comments!!!!

Since I plan to bring a 1951 Chevrolet Pickup into Thailand in rusted condition and then restore it what can I expect to pay?

The vehicle is costing me $3000 total plus shipping. Body parts would arrive as a bed part, fenders and the cab or the truck.

When here the body.will be redone and painted after restoration from rust condition to perfection and then a new engine, transmission will be added.

The original frame (totally rebuilt and powder coated) will be imported to include suspension, brakes and steering components.

Is there an agent that can help or am I on my own?

What about the CX-9? Will that b e continued in Thailand?

What about the CX-9? Will that b e continued?

The Social Security Administration will issue a recipient a Debit Card sponsored by the U.S. Government via a Name Brand U.S. Bank. The ATM / Debit card will either be VISA or MasterCard. This Debit card is now mandatory for people who do not have a bank account.

This would seem to be a very good way to have near instant access to your monthly social security benefits. And you do not have any bank account tied to it.

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Direct Deposit of Social Security Benefits. For U.S. Military Veterans I recommend you check out USAA and their banking system. It is totally online - no branch banks. Checking has zero to low fees, and ATM fees reimbursed. Domestic transfers of money to other accounts are no charge. They do have wire transfer fees but these may be able to be bypassed using ACH transfers - it depends.

ACH transfer (Automated Clearing House) is money transfer between correspondent banks. The ACH network is also used for direct deposit of payroll, S..S. Benefit payments, etc.

There is also an international ACH network. An international ACH fund transfer is called an IAT (International ACH Transfer). The significance of this is that an IAT is a different network than classic International Wire Transfer). It is possible that if USAA recognizes Bangkok Bank in NY as a correspondent bank - which they probably do - then a simple ACH transfer template could be set up. I am not sure if there is a fee for IATs but it could be from zero to lower than the $35.00 one pays for classic 'Wire Transfer'. You might want to call USAA and find out if this is possible.

USAA will set up two checking accounts (no fee for either). One can be self designated as the Primary Account and the other as a Travel or Limited account (this is just name labeling) . The Debit / ATM cards attached to these accounts will be functionally identical but with different account numbers of course/

Why do this ? The Primary checking / Debit Card account can hold the majority of your monthly and residual funds liquid funds.

The Travel/ Limited Checking / Debit Card account can only have what you transfer into it on a daily or weekly basis. This account would also be setup without automatic overdraft protection. Thus this Travel/Limited Checking / Debit Card account has very limited risk should the card be lost or stolen or a malfunctioning ATM machine come into play . You only risk losing the few hundred dollars in that particular account. The 'charging' transfers can easily be done securely online

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It has been noted here but it doesn't hurt to reiterate: U.S. Social Security benefits for a spouse or dependent children is Survivor Benefits only ... meaning you are deceased. Some of the post cause me to doubt that this is fully understood.

Someone mentioned VA benefits being transferred to a surviving spouse. Except for VA Disability Benefits, I do not know of any monetary benefits for veterans who are not on Disability with the VA. It would be great if there were. Military Service retirement is another matter. In both cases it would be wise for the couple to examine potential spousal survivor benefits by consulting with the appropriate agency.

It would seem to me if one has plenty of years of life left (based on good health at this time) then an easy way to establish the legitimacy of a marriage to a Thai citizen would be to visit the U.S. and get married in a simple civil ceremony. This would add a double layer of marriage certification.

Any Veteran or Widow not eligable for other VA benefits and without any or very low income can get the Survivors Pension of about $600 if the Veteran served in the U.S. military. Go to http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/veterans-pensions.html for more information. Also see http://www.caring.com/articles/va-death-pension for Widows

As a former VFW Service Officer I can assure you that many Widows in Thailand have received Social Security Benefits based on their spouses income at age 60.

The rule is that if the Veteran dies on active duty or as a result of combat related injuries, the 5 year rule is waived for Social Security. Agent Orange related illnesses and PTSD are considered combat related illnesses.

There are many here still living with those illnesses. I will even mention a Widow that receive retroactive SS benefits, which was a very seldom case, due to having been denied by the Consulate previously and in error. This is above and beyond the VA benefits these Widows were entitled to and received.

Go to the nearest VFW Post and they will help you. Google them. as in VFW Chiang Mai, Korat, Bangkok or Pattaya and then email the Service Officer

Went to Riverside Market for the 4th of July Celebration. GREAT! Thanks David for again coming through for the U.S. Community. Great Food, Great Festivities, Great Games for Kids and of course great Company. Fireworks were oustanding.

I wish that Mazda wold continue bringing in the CX-9. I want one badly. If anyone knows where I can find a new one let me know. I have no choice I have 5 kids

Unless her Veteran husband died under certain circumstances due to combat injuries she is not eligible. Agent Orange related death makes the widow eligible at age 60 with 5 year rule waived.

My wife rents Honda City at 11,200 THB per two week period. Includes pick up/ delivery and full coverage Insurance. Call +66 (0)88 268 6293 or message me. If you rent for a month or more the frist tank of gas is FREE

I just looked at my lixense and see that I have a I have a 12 year license. Hmmmm. Better not ask a question. May get an awnser I do not like

Call me on my skype address. Presently having similar problems and can give good advise FREE for you.

Excellent food for me as a farang, but, my Thai wife said that it is Thai style geared toward farang and not exactly suited for Thai tastebuds.

Portions were great, service great but, no real deserts to speak off. I will definitely go again, if not with the wife than with the GF.

Dave has done an excellent job getting this place open and should go after the Tour trade, the same bus firms that deliver to the Hotels

and also cater to the business lunch crowd. Then again what the heck do I know of running a Restaurant. Great place!! Live music helps!!

Where can I find one? How much where? a million questions!!

Things are never what they seem. Those that know will never tell and those that tell never knew.

JUST CHECKED.....it is not mine

I was in US Navy from Dec. 89 until April 95. I did not see or was involved in Desert Storm (they had me in avionics school). Would I be eliglbe to join the VFW still? I am not drawing any pension or disability and have already used my GI Bill money. Other than being around military buddies, what would be the benefit of joining?

THX

Stop by and we can look up if you are eligible. If not you can still attend as there are new things daily that every veteran needs to know. For example, if you die and your wife is destitute, not eligible for Social Security, she may be eligible for a $651 Widow's pension.

We are capable of telling you about little things that could make a world of difference to someone in Thailand.

Do you all get to have a sticker like this. Go Go Team America

If you want a sticker, I will personally provide you with one.

Actually the VFW does s lot of good in the community. The organization has helped many U.S. Veterans, Veterans of other nations and of course their widow and orphans. We would love to have you join us. The benefits are many. We take an oath to support and assist you and your family when the time comes. We help Veterans get their benefits that they are entitled to and generally make Veterans and families aware of what help is available. There is also the camaraderie and social aspect of our organization. Stop by at the next meeting and see for yourself!

Try that BarnacleBob on this site, he might be able to point you in the right direction

BUMP. No comments! OK, but if you need help with Department of Veterans Affairs issues be sure to contact us. We can help and have made a difference.

Trouble is same as cockroaches. If you catch the slowest ones, then they will evolve to be faster and faster until you cannot catch them anymore. We are creating a world of super thieves.