garyk

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

The U.S. embassy can say what they like about whether the letters will be honored for six months, or not. But bottom line they have ZERO authority on the matter when the applicants actually go in with the old letters.

I have a feeling you are dead right here. Curious to see what happens after Jan 1st.

1 minute ago, HiSoLowSoNoSo said:

I just came back from Malaysia and this year there was no smell from the forest fires on Sumatera Island like there was 3-4 years ago, maybe no more rainforest to burn down? The islands on the east coast are very nice. Yes I think Malaysia is underrated mostly because it's muslim, but I have never had any problems with the muslims there and the Chinese, Indians and muslims seems to be accepting each other.  

Interesting about the burn off, I will google it. The Malaysian government made a big stink about it. Which was warranted. If it is under control then it will be so much better. I had to leave Malaysia twice because of it.

I got sick, and had to go back to America and get sorted out. So, I am just getting back to this part of the world. I have really missed Malaysia, not Thailand, haha.

Same here, never a problem with the Muslims at all. As a matter of fact in one of the home stays I used to eat supper with the guys and had a pretty good time. Lots of Indian folks there... Love the curry's and Indian food.. so good.

I know a guy in Fraziers Hill that is Chinese and he complains quit a bit about the political situation and the way the Chinese are treated? So not sure about that. He explained it to me. Seems the Malaysian people discriminate against the Chinese descent people. But, I am not political what so ever so? And only have his word on the situation.

Later, Gary

6 minutes ago, HiSoLowSoNoSo said:

I have never been told by immigration at the border that the max time in Malaysia is 30 days for the car, but who knows there are so many rules and made up rules in this country. There are many excellent and inexpensive homestays all around Malaysia, better than guesthouses. Hotel rates are similar to Thailand for 3-5 star hotels. Food is cheaper, for example a Burger King Whopper cheese meal in Thailand is around 200 THB in Malaysia 110 THB, beer cost more but wine is cheaper and if you buy in the duty free shop on Langkawi island, a 1 liter bottle of Jonnie Walker red is 38 Ringit ( 300 THB) and a Chang beer can is 2.5 Ringit (20 THB !!! and it comes from Thailand) Tioman Island is another great place and also tax free alcohol and it is still in pristine condition even after having tourist business longer than Phuket. You don't find the xenophobia against foreigners in Malaysia as you often find in Thailand and you can own a small company there to 100% as foreigner and no two-tier pricing either. 

Haha, yes the prices are great. I have stayed at a few home stays and liked them much better than the hotels in the small cities.  My hobby is birding and I ran the roads there for a few months each year. For about two or three years. 

Been meaning to go to the islands. I think that is my next trip. Interesting, I was talking to my travel partner here about two weeks ago. And, suggested we head down to Malaysia and check out the islands. 

Yep, the beaches there are so nice. 

The only time I have to get out of Malaysia is when Indonesia does there annual burn off. The air quality in Malaysia is the worst I have ever seen. I thought Thailand was bad. It takes a distant second to Malaysia. I was chocking to death.

IMO Malaysia is WAY under rated.

Back to the vehicle visa, I am going to call a friend, that hopefully has a copy of the paper I filled out in Thailand for the vehicle. If I cannot get a copy I will copy it next time I am threw Kolok. Heading into Malaysia.

Have a great evening, Regards 

Forgot about the traffic! I have been stuck in holiday traffic in Malaysia that was the worst I have ever been in. It was hours on end. The small highways were a parking lot, it was beyond bad. I learned to check the holiday schedule before heading out in Malaysia. But, in general I agree.

The food in Penang is world class. That alone has gotten me to head that way more than once over the years.

Regards

1 hour ago, HiSoLowSoNoSo said:

From where did you got 1000 Baht fine per day if staying in Malaysia for more than 30 days? Never got any info regarding this the last 3 years at both the Sadao and Sungai Kolok crossings. 

 

I got the pink passport for both my SUV and my Pick-up and have showed them to the immigration officer when departing, they just give it back to me without stamping it. I get the departure documents every time but nobody want to see it when I return. There is a warning I have seen that says: if you don't fill in the arrival document for the car you can get fined max 10.000 THB, no warning regarding 1000 THB per day if more than 30 days (I read Thai and could not see it in Thai language either) I got the English language number plates I screw on when coming to the border, than you don't need to put the registration number stickers on the car, and I also got a white "T" sticker on the rear window.

 

I love the food in Malaysia and Penang got the best food in the country, think its better than in Thailand, another thing is that the traffic much better (not perfect but day and night compared to the Thai traffic) and you actually feel welcome when you meet their immigration officials and no silly questions asked like you often get when arriving in Thailand.

  I was told that by the Thai immigration at the border crossing?  They also told me that 30 days on the vehicle coming from Thailand was all I was able to get, period.  So I am a bit baffled, next time down there I am going to get them to show it to me. I used to get upset every time I had to come across for my pickup, it was a pain in the neck. So good to know. I don't read Thai but speak enough to get by. 

Every single time I come back from Malaysia I go to immigration and get the paperwork done to show my pickup is back in Thailand? 

So you are saying you go into Thai immigration and get your paper work straightened out,  after you have been in Malaysia for 3 months nothing is said?  That goes against everything I have been told. I am a bit miffed!   haha

Yea, I love it there also. I have been thinking about heading that way. Cameron highlands, Frasier's Hill. The parks there do not double price like in Thailand. The only thing I don't like are the guest house's. Thailand has a head start on them in that area IMO. Thailand has some great hotels. 

I could easily live there full time.

24 minutes ago, phuketrichard said:

 

Legally the thai temp export is only valid for 30days.

once i took my Thai car into Camboida, ( back in 2008) and stayed 8 months, when i left back to thailand he asked where my temp export doc was and i told him i lost it, we filled out a new one and he dated it that  i left the day before. ????

 

You are a brave sole.. haha   

Cambodia is a piece of cake. I used to go threw and the Cambodia immigration would he haw around then 500, baht and on with the show.

Loved the traffic in Cambodia! First time in I couldn't believe the difference by just crossing a border.

Sorry it was not Thai immigration where I got the letter for my pickup it was the Dept. of transportation.

IMO Thailand government does not want the letters what so ever. I doubt if the Embassy can do much about it.

The fine is 1000 baht / day if you take your Thai vehicle across to Malaysian, for over 30 days?

If you stayed 3 months which is what I get on my stamp for a tourist, and did not bring your car back to Thailand for 3 months you are very lucky not to get fined. 

I used to complain about this all the time at the Thai border crossing in Kolok. The Thai's cross the border all the time and it is a common occurrence all along the border? Also the passport for you pickup I do not understand. I got a paper from Thai immigration only. The only time I got a passport for the pickup was for Laos?

I tried to show the passport at the Malaysian Thai border, and they did not know what it was. When I first started going across.

I am kinda curious, did you go to Thai immigration and get the paper for crossing into Malaysia? Are you saying if you have a passport for your car you can go for 3 months without problems?  Did you have the stickers made and put on your vehicle? 

Maybe they have changed the rules? It has been a couple of years since my last hop. So very curious. If so I will head down and spend a leisurely 3 months in Georgetown.. ????

How did you like the food in Malaysia? Georgetown has some of the best food I have ever eaten in S.E. Asia IMO.  

42 minutes ago, Time Traveller said:

Are you saying you can register a thai car and obtain the car passport on just a tourist visa? 

 

I did it, no problems what so ever.  If heading into Malaysia. You can only get a one month visa for your pickup. But, I got two months as a tourist. Crazy IMO. One of the reasons I put the truck in my GF's name. She could run it across the border stay a week then back to Malaysia. No problems what so ever. Saved me the hassle of coming back to Thailand, and she could only stay 30 days on a tourist visa so worked great.

There is another thread here running taking about the retirement visa letters. Personally I think you could do border runs in Malaysia for ever with no problems. I never had a problem. Easy as pie. I liked Georgetown better than any city in Thailand also.

Yea, I used to cross into Cambodia often. Never had a problem.  Got refused at the Malaysian border coming into Thailand. At the time they just started getting strict on the tourist stamps. I had to turn around and go back to Malaysia. Luckily I still had some time on my pickup visa! If not it could of been a hassle for sure. 

What I did was transfer the title of my pickup into my Thai girlfriends name. Since she always travels with me it made it much easier for me.

I bought an old pickup and kept it in Thailand, but ran the roads from Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia. Great times. Sometimes I miss it terribly. Some of my most fond memories.

36 minutes ago, balo said:

7 hours ago, garyk said:

Dave, I have been traveling to Mexico and Colombia the last couple of years, and I really like it better than Thailand.
 
I hate talking about money, but if you have the funds Mexico is a wonderful place.
 
The countries are huge, and you are free to travel at will. I love that. 
The visa's are so expat friendly, a huge plus for me as i get older.
Medical care is first class.
 
Of course only my personal opinion, everyone is different.
 
Regards
 
 

As a European I don't know much about Colombia, but I do know the women there are beautiful. How would you rate Colombia when it comes to safety ? As a foreigner will you be an easy target ? Can you get a 1 year visa there without any hassles ? Thanks.

I got a 3 month visa on arrival, which can be extended another 3 months with out any problems. What I have read about the retirement visa it is extremely easy.

The women, haha. I enjoyed myself. I will leave it at that.

You are a target for sure, just don't be conspicuous and blend in if possible. I never had any problems. I flew from Bogota to Cali then took the bus threw the coffee region. Cheap as chips after you get out of Bogota and Cali. Some of the small towns in the mountains are absolutely beautiful.

Since I am from Texas I have been traveling into Mexico for years. So, I am used to it some what. I try to stay under the radar when possible. Colombia is about the same, but more dangerous as far as getting robbed IMO. Depends on where you are also. 

If you have a chance I say go for it. 

Forgot to mention Colombia has a European influence, I met several folks from Europe there. Actually all the people I met there that were traveling around the country were Europeans.

1 minute ago, mogandave said:

 

Where in Mexico? Been a number of places over years, but never thought I like living their. Used to fish the Baja quite a bit.

My wife is Thai and I don’t imagine she’d like it there and I have a boy in HS that makes it tough.

I like the US, had I not been transferred to Thailand for work I never would have lived here.

 

Hey Dave, I lived in Merida, for a few months. San Miguel de Allende. Safe as Thailand for sure. 

If you like arty people San Miguel de Allende. Depends on what you like I guess. Mexico is a big place.

Lived in Colombia for 3 months last year, Botota(not that safe IMO) but so clean, wow. Cali( not my cup of tea). Loved the coffee region.

Yea I like the US also,  I like adventure travel. I am a birder, and like chasing critters. 

Personally I will never break my ties with America. If money ever becomes an issue, it is America for me 100%.

Regards

7 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Good luck with that.

Both Hepatitis filth holes.

Keep us updated about how wonderful they are....

Where are you traveling too in Mexico and S.A.?

Personally I have found just the opposite.

Just now, mogandave said:

 

Well I think it safe to say that you will not be needing to verify your income.
 

 

Yep, I have gone back and forth trying to think of a reason to stay.

Just too many negatives. To consider Thailand as a second home.

My visa is up in March, and I have decided not to re-new it. 

I will go to a friendlier country that caters to expats,  for my second home.

Regards

Personally I am crossing Thailand off my list. If I want to come back for a short time visit I will. Tourist visa only.

If you are an American citizen, and want to retire in a different country for better standard of living, and over all quality of life. Thailand is not the place to be IMO. 

It is filthy beyond belief.

It is not visa friendly.

Air quality is horrible several months of the year.

The scenery is not that good.

Too many tourists, it is out of control IMO.

Way too many negatives to consider Thailand for  a place to spend your money, or time here.

I say let them have the place to themselves. 

If you didn't come here and start a family, buy into property, then head out. 

Just chalk it up as an adventure, smile and leave.

IMO most of the guys here that say 65K is not enough are living in large city's. Also probably most do not know or care about others what so ever. This, I am richer than you attitude is rather sickening IMO.

Personally I choose not to associate with people like this what so ever. Losers to the Nth degree that deserve not a second glance.

Regards

Only thing I am waiting on now is the reports from folks after January 1st?

Then I will make a decision on what to do. Not until.

4 hours ago, JLCrab said:

Mexico? MEXICO?? As per Steely Dan --

 

Well, I hear the whistle but I can't go, I'm gonna
Take her down to Mexico, she said:

Oh no! Guadalajara won't do.

 

At least for Americans, one of the biggest disadvantages to living in Thailand is that it isn't close to home.

And, at least for Americans, one of the biggest advantages to living in Thailand is that it isn't close to home.

Haha, never thought of it that way.

I still have some old Steely Dan albums back home.

Last time I was home I was debating on picking up a turntable to play my old collection of plastic.. ????

6 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

If my extension is denied(for whatever reason) I am considering this:  Foreigners that receive a lifetime retirement or pension from a foreign government, international agency or private enterprise, who enter Panama to live and have sufficient economic means to cover all of their living expenses for themselves and their dependents, will be able to request the Panama Pensioner Visa.  The income or monthly pension must not be less than One Thousand US Dollars (US$1,000) and should be granted to the applicant for life.

I figure I should research other options just in case?   

Lots of places closer to home that will welcome you for sure. 1600 bucks / month and you can start the residency visa for Mexico.

Just a shame, Thailand is one of the cheapest places in the world to live, and Thailand is one of the hardest places to get a long stay visa. The visa rules here are ridiculous IMO.

6 minutes ago, HHTel said:

When I said 'gave out', I meant verbally.  There is no handout but maybe that will come later.

 

I'm just reporting my experience at immigration this morning. The IO's had obviously been given some instructions, whether locally or otherwise.  They were offering information whether you wanted to know or not!

That may be all TI plans on doing. I would not be surprised in the least.

3 minutes ago, mogandave said:

 

If I were going in and out a few times a month I would consider the elites, but I only travel every other month.

 

Yea, the 20 year looks ok. But, I just can't wrap my head around the cash outlay. Although, at my age and if I were planning to live here until death. I might consider it just for insurance against further changes.

Regards

46 minutes ago, mogandave said:

 

2.5 is pretty good...

 

If I were going to stay here for a while that is what I would be doing.

Might as well do the 800K, and at least get a little interest IMO.