mouse

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.

LEAVE HER ALONE, SHE IS EN-ROUTE TO MAKE MY BREAKFAST!!

So if I predict that things will get better and that tourism will increase as a result, bringing in millions of tourism dollars, then does that mean I get a grant from the government? Ok back to the news.........

I went itemized and received 540 some dollars back. And the letter said that I am part of another settlement to which I will also receive a check. Merry Christmas

Just to update the latest information; VFW Post 12074, located in Chiang Mai, presently boast 100+ members and is looking for new members to help overcome an aging membership.

If you are interested in visiting with us go to <removed> where you can get more information and also directions to our meeting locations that take place every first Saturday of the month.

I think this is a lack of communicating with the right people. As a person that has more than 14 family members stranded by these floods in the Bangkok area, I am very concerned and planning accordingly for the entire family. Loosing all their possessions is a minor thing as their safety is paramount. My concern is when the floods are over. There will be limited water and food sources that are not contaminated, the likely outbreak of disease and of course the inability of the common man to earn a living and provide for himself. I think someone better call the U.S. Military and ask them to return. Heck their water decontamination capabilities alone will be worth many lives.

VFW Post 12074, located in Chiang Mai, presently boast 120+ members and is looking for new members to help overcome an aging membership. If you are interested in visiting with us go to vfw-chiangmai.org, where you can get more information and also directions to our meetings that take place every first Saturday of the month.

YES they can collect, if they have Social Security Numbers, Foreign Birth Abroad Birth Certificates.

Okay I understand that you thai wife will not be able to collect your survivor benefits. But what about your children with your thai wife?

I looked into SS benifits for a Thai wife a short while ago and believe I remember correctly that the spouse needs to live in the US or it's possessions a total of 5 years - not necessarily consecutive. An accumulation of 5 years should be enough. This may make a big difference for some. I have not taken the time to look it up but thought it worth mentioning.

Your are not totally correct with the 5 year rule. There are many exception to this rule under both Social Security and VA pension policies

example a.) If the sponsor died on active duty.

example b.) If the sponsor died of a service connected disability as a result of hostile action in a combat environment.

We at the VFW have found that each and every case is different with many factors being considered.

Recently, we were able to obtain a Social Security pension for a Widow, whom the State Department had turned away, as being not eligible

Widows may also be eligible for a DIC pension, if their spouses died after having served 60 days during a wartime period.

Last but least if all fails and they have no income or assets, other than their home and a vehicle, a Widows Pension may be applied for.

Plan early, make a US and Thai will, is our advise. If you wife comes to the VFW for help, after your demise, we will do our best to help her.

Another important note: Have your Thai wife sign nothing before talking to us. We have had Widows that lost a lot as they assigned the entitlements to others unknowingly.

We have had a tremendous response due to the first Post.

Thank you for your input. We are presently responding to various questions such as VA Claims on various disabilities, SBP questions, divorce impact on various benefits etc. as quickly as possible. Remember that each and every case is different.

I ask those that wish to learn more to come to our meetings. Even if not eligible to join us, we will allow you to be present at meetings, learn and give input. Only difference is you will not be allowed to vote.

We of course are always looking for young and new blood to fill our ranks, as we are affected by attrition

Meetings are always at 10:30 on the first Saturday of the month at Duke's Restaurant (presently Riverside)

For those of you searching for other Posts in Thailand, go to this site ( http://ww.vfwdistrict5.com/ ) to find the one that is nearest you.

Just a general announcement that we the members of VFW Post 12074 of Chiang Mai, Thailand, stand ready to assist the Vets and their Thai Wives or Widows, that may need our help. This is irregardless of whether or not you join us.

For example you might be interested to know that you wife/widow might be eligible for a Widows Pension from the Veterans Administration after you die;

She (your widow upon your demise) may be eligible for if:

If you, the veteran, were discharged from military service under other than dishonorable conditions, AND you the veteran served at least 90 days of active military service, 1 day of which was during a war time period. If he or she entered active duty after September 7, 1980, generally he or she must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty. (There are exceptions to this rule.) AND you are the surviving spouse or unmarried child of the deceased veteran.

If eligible, this could mean between THB 20,000 to THB 30,000 Baht per month, for your widow for life. If children under a certain age are involved then the amount would likely be more.

We have been instrumental in changing the lives of many for the better. Hopefully we can be of service to you!

Have questions, then visit us at Duke's Riverside on the first Saturday of each month.

Just to let everyone in Chiang Mai know that we are still strong and active and meet monthly at Dukes. http://www.vfw-chiangmai.org/

Has any one heard that Immigration is considering a one three and five year VISA for those married to Thai citizens? I overheard a discussion at Immigration today that touched on the subject

And to think that you only catch the slow ones.

That link to all other sites in Thailand, outside of the Chiang Mai area, should be http://www.vfwdistrict5.com/

The VFW Post In Chiang Mai can be found at http://www.vfw-chiangmai.org/

Thanks for your kind words Sven. Any U.S. Veteran whether a member of our VFW Post or not, can ask and receive help from us. If you live in Chiang Mai great, if not go to http://www.vfwdistrict5.org/welcome.html where you will find the 6 VFW Posts in Thailand and Cambodia. The Chiang Mai Post website is located at http://www.vfw-chiangmai.org/ We are over 100 strong locally and do the best we can to make life a little bit more meaningful for all our Veterans.

For anyone interested in this story, next time you go to Vientiane Laos go to the main Museum in the center of town and you will see the other side of the story. Quite a large display and certainly interesting.

For those that doubt the authenticity of this hero's history I can only say.

"Those that know will never tell and those that tell will never know"

Recently went for a VISA extension and when asked if I had proof of Income I pointed to my wife and three young children. The officer laughed and understood immediately granting me the VISA without a problem.

I have two AIS SIMS with the same number installed in two phone. One stays in my car and the other in the house. To switch between phones I active the desired phone by dialing *100# and then press enter. Been using this system for years without a hitch. Ask again.

Here in Thailand we have several VFW posts that assist when an American Veteran passes away. We have posts in Bangkok, Pattaya, Korat, Udon, and chiangmai. Widows of American veterans, and retired military are all eligible for benefits, even though they never resided in the United States, but are only eligible for Social Security benefits if they resided in the States for five years.

Barry

Actually there are a few exception to the 5 year policy. One being that the survivor was married to a Veteran that was 100% disabled due to wounds and or illnesses sustained in a combat environment and that he was 100% disabled. The wife can also receive SS benefits without having been in the US if she cares for minor children born within the marriage.

Never mind found all I need in Chiang Mai. Going up there Friday and order everything I need to build my dream machine.

I am looking for a NEW Kingston 256GB SSDNow V100 Series kit that allows me to install and use it as the primary drive within the computer I am building. Checked everywhere, although heavily advertised I need to find someone that has it in stock. If you see it drop a line here please. Most preferred location would be in Chiang Mai as I am going there within days.

So let me understand this. A 16/32 or 64GB WiFi model bought in the states will work in Thailand?

I ask due to going home in a few days at which time I would carry 3 back for my children.

I have had a Fiber Optic line by TOT for more than 12 months now and live in the boonies near Kamphaeng Phet and although I have paid a lot for this service I have been extremely happy with it. This news is even more than I expected and I imagine that I will connected when at my new home in Chiang Mai.