allen303

44 minutes ago, AGareth2 said:

Global warming is a hoax

No, it can’t be!!!  AOC gave us 12 years to live and that was around 6 months ago. And we know she is a rocket scientist. So, now that I know I only have 11 years left, give or take a few months. I think I will go out and do something, as soon as it cools off a little outside. This AC feels way to good right now.

4 hours ago, Opl said:

"In the May 2018 cable published by the Mail on Sunday, U.K. Ambassador Kim Darroch called Trump’s decision to abandon the international accord “an act of diplomatic vandalism, seemingly for ideological and personality reasons” because the pact “was Obama’s deal.”

He alleged the White House had no strategy for what would come after its withdrawal and “no sort of plan for reaching out to partners and allies.”

You are right about it being (Obama’s deal). Instead of Obama doing an executive agreement on Iran, he should have sent to congress as a treat. If passed by a two thirds majority it would have been a binding agreement, in a way. However, Obama chose to not send it to congress.  So, it was easy for Trump to end.

The reason Obama did not send to congress was because as they say, it stood about as much chance as a snowball in hell of passing.

Even if ratified by congress Trump could still have pulled out but it would have made thing much harder. Possibly another challenge in court.

In 1978 Jimmy Carter pulled out of the 1954 Mutual Defense Treaty with Taiwan without congress consent. He was challenged in court and the D.C. Circuit said Carter could decide whether to move forward with the treaty or not.

So bottom line it was an Obama agreement. Trump decided to make several copies and put in the congressional private bathrooms to help with the budget.

18 hours ago, wwest5829 said:

Interests of the average US citizen, that being the working middle class? Then I can agree. Raise the minimum wage, institute a national healthcare policy like the developed nations, reduce the costs of pursuing higher education (my thought here is to recognize that the old HS level of public education should be extended an additional two years covering both those pursuing a Bachelor's Degree or a Technical College Degree - level support), protect Social Security and Medicare for the retired working middle class. Yes, I know, these things are supported by progressives ... thing is they all are in the interest of the average American citizens.

In the state of Florida (the state I am from) there is a program where high school student can get a two-year degree free while still in school. I remember attending a class at the local collage and having several high school students in it. Even the rich kids from Destin showing up in their little BMW the parents bought for them. There are two trade schools they can attend while in school to learn HVAC, auto repair, carpentry and numerous other trades to include coding last time I drove by. These are also open to the public at night where you see a lot of vets enrolled.

They just have to apply their self. Then again there are the lot that will not and end up at the low end of their graduation class if they graduate at all. You can’t fix stupid as they say.

As for the minimum wage, I cannot name any business in my area that pays the minimum wage in Florida. Couple of months ago when I was back home, I was having a conversation with one of the restaurant owners. He said he pays his dish washers from $15 to 20 an hour starting out and still can’t keep them. They either move to a better job or get paid and go on an alcohol/drug vacation till the money runs out.

As for collages, there are (have to find the article again) 10 to 12 major schools, such as Harvard and Yale that could let every student go for 4 years free just on the endowment interest alone (Harvard has over 30 Billion). Put a cap on how much a state public school can raise tuition tied to cost of living index. I think in Florida they are controlled by a state governing board. Not the 4-7% like now, private schools or beyond reach. Stop paying $500,000 to a politician to teach one class a week on her policies.

The worst move was when the federal gov. took over the student loans. That said to all collages we can charge what we like because the U S Government will pay. Here is a plan for your collage loans, you took out the loan you pay it. Don’t ask other tax payers to pay your loan.

As for income distribution, if some one has 1 billion or 300 billion it does not affect what I have or can earn. Just because someone gets a larger piece of the pie does not mean you have to have a smaller one. Everyone is free to donate all they have to the US government or any charity they so desire.

A word of advice to high school students, if you are going into debt for collage make sure it’s in a field you can make money with. Not a 4-year degree to become a bartender. Of course, you can always try politics and become a millionaire in a year or two.

 There, had nothing better to do this morning, so figured I would get all the US/Trump haters panties in a wad. So, take your meds girls when that TDS kicks in

Let us know what all they require now, I may go to marriage next time to save that 400000. Tried a marriage over a year ago. I had two witness statements, sister-in-law and another witness with us. No go, said I had to have a statement from next door neighbor and would not give in. Just did a 2 month extension then O in Laos then I flew out.

 Can’t say for marriage but I did my extension based on retirement 2 ½ months ago and had only one copy. Just did my 90 day plus reentry permission Friday, . In and out in 20 minutes. The same IO took care of both at the same time. Showed up at 12:45, they opened at 13:00 and was first in line.

FYI, they did not say anything about insurance or going to visit the house. Had a good (very reliable) friend email me and his IO called and said they were going to visit him and he is on an extension based on retirement for over 10 years. So, at least one IO is requiring it now. IO said came down from their big boss. Not Nonthaburi IO.

13 hours ago, Leaver said:

If that's the case, make a rule, and enforce it, nation wide.

 

For example:  a foreigner is allowed 3 x 30 stamps in a calendar year.  Or, a 2 tourist visas in a calendar year.  Or 1 tourist visa and and 2 x 30 day stamps.  That's it.  Put it in writing.  Release it to the mediai.  Set a start date.  Inform EVERY boarder office.  

 

At least then, people can plan when, and for how long they can stay here, and when they can return.

 

At the moment, it's a very unstable system, open to interpretation by individuals, with so much uncertainty. 

 

 

There is an old saying in the military.

Be careful what you ask for, you may get it.

My old BB had three deposits, the first was 10,000 to open the account. The second was the 800,000 two days later. The third was a 100, and the letter from the bank, one day before I went to the IO on 4 April, which one IO said would be OK. On the day of the extension the IO said she had to have a deposit in the account that day. So, we went back to bank. No need to argue, just do what she asks.

We went back to the bank and did a 100 deposit, no new letter to match the new deposit. But when they updated the book it printed over the 810 and it is illegible. So, the bank lady did a new book. When the new book printed out it showed the 810,000 dated 4 April, 100 4 April (the day before) and then 100 deposit on 5 April. So, the bank had my 800,000 4 April and I am doing my extension on 5 April.

I would suggest going back to the bank and asking them for a new book and explain you have to have the dates of deposit correct for each month for the purpose of the IO. I don’t know how good your Thai is but would suggest taking some one along with fluent Thai to help you out, just from my experience. I would think they will do all the transactions but put all on the same date, the easy way for them. I would also get the bank print out, may take a few days and a few hundred baht. I am sure someone on here can give you a better understanding of the banking system.

Side note; While at the IO 5 April the wife was talking to another Thai wife married to an Australian teaching English. It was their third trip to the IO for his extension. She said every time a different IO would ask for something else. So to the poster with the problem, its not just you, it Nonthaburi IO. They have their own little idiosyncrasies to deal with.

47 minutes ago, lujanit said:

Johny67, I feel for you and your situation,  I have been dealing with Nonthaburi Immigration for 8 years and they can be difficult to the extreme.  You still cannot do 90 day reports online and trying to register for an online TM30 account (Section 38 app) has proved to be impossible.

 

I can confirm that Nonthaburi have changed their requirements drastically over the past 12 months.  I am on the 800k retirement extension however we had to put up with a home visit, lots of photos and prying into our personal lives.  The two Immigration Officers who came also spoke to neighbours.

 

Probably not a lot of help to you now however speaking to the (large) guy who checks paperwork and allocates queue numbers has proven to be helpful.  Having a Thai asking Q's also helps.

 

All the best to you.

49 minutes ago, lujanit said:

Johny67, I feel for you and your situation,  I have been dealing with Nonthaburi Immigration for 8 years and they can be difficult to the extreme.  You still cannot do 90 day reports online and trying to register for an online TM30 account (Section 38 app) has proved to be impossible.

 

I can confirm that Nonthaburi have changed their requirements drastically over the past 12 months.  I am on the 800k retirement extension however we had to put up with a home visit, lots of photos and prying into our personal lives.  The two Immigration Officers who came also spoke to neighbours.

 

Probably not a lot of help to you now however speaking to the (large) guy who checks paperwork and allocates queue numbers has proven to be helpful.  Having a Thai asking Q's also helps.

 

All the best to you.

I know how you feel for I have had my fun times with Nonthaburi IO. Last Feb 2018 I had an O Visa from DC Thai Embassy. When the Embassy mailed it back, they wrote on the Visa (Thai Wife), no big deal right. I go in April 2018 with paper work for extension based on retirement. Young male IO said no go because you have a visa for married to a Thai, you can only apply for marriage extension. So, go get all the paper work for that and go back a week later. Had my wife, sister-in-law and another witness with us with two statements. Mind you we have been married for 15 years in the US and she has duel citizenship. The lady IO said all is good BUT, have to have a statement from your neighbor. Explained just moved to new housing area and the three houses on our block were not sold yet. Don’t matter, still no. So, I got a two-month extension then went to Laos and got another O to carry me to Nov. when I go back to the US anyway.  

This time had an ME O Visa from Washington DC, had wife call and make sure they do not write on the Visa. They said it should not matter but explained they don’t know Nonthaburi IO.

Put 810,000 in bank, wife goes a month prior to new IO office and checks all forms, good to go, they said can do letter a few days before and also update bank book. Go to IO with letter from bank, nice little lady says everything good but need to have a deposit today. She tells us closes bank and off we go.

We deposit 100 and they update the bank book. However, when they update it prints over the 810,000. So, they make a new bank book. Get back to IO building, decide to check BB again, the bank has the 810 as the same date as the 100 just deposited on that day. Told the wife lets try anyway and see what happens. The same IO brought us back as soon as she finished the person she was with. She caught the date right from the start. She then goes to the head guy and we could see them talking. She comes back about five minutes later and to my surprise she says go make a copy of the old BB and we are good.

So, for once they used common sense.

I learned the first time the hard way, once they make up there mind the odds of you changing it or slim.

Johny67;  You stated you had a visit from Nonthaburi IO and you are on a Retirement? Can't wait, will see if they would like a few beers! I wonder if our security guys are going to escort them to the house as usual and then we have to stamp their pass?

I think I will ask if one of my new neighbor can do a statement,  he is from Australia???? 

Looks like some of you will have to claim TDS as a preexisting condition based on the article below. I would keep that in mind if you have to apply for insurance here in Thailand! I am sure some med company will come up with something for this and make a little money!

Trump derangement syndrome, or TDS, is the anger, confusion, and mania exhibited by some in the left over the fact that Donald Trump is president. Even the esteemed mental health journal Psychology Today weighed in on the syndrome.

While the author, an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at Canada’s McGill University, acknowledged that the syndrome isn’t officially recognized, he did point out that it has been widely observed:

“Many have argued that some people have been seriously disturbed and distressed by the policies, speech, behavior and tweets of President Trump, so much so that it has affected their cognitive, affective and behavioral functioning. Such people may need mental health support.”

Found the answer,  if you go to the customs site it lists 3 categories for customs. If it is over 40000 bath it puts it into category 3. So that will make it expensive and to many problem. So I will pick up in Nov. 

VAT Tax and shipping from US.

I am looking at having a watch shipped to me here in Nonthaburi from the USA. It will be shipped from a person and not a store, so will be listed as a gift or personal item. The value of the watch is higher than FedEx will allow for insurance $2499.00. I have shipped different things from the USA to me before and it is hit or miss with VAT. Several packages came through with no VAT, then one got charged when it was delivered. I believe that package was with DHL or KEER (unsure of name but not FedEx). So, I have a few question and hope someone on here can provide some good information.

1.How does the VAT work with FedEx, chances of getting hit with the VAT and how much on $2400.00?

2. How safe will the package be shipped to Thailand using FedEx; will it make it here and not come up missing. If I was in the US or a few other countries I would not have to ask that question, but.

3. Am I better off just waiting till I go back in Nov. this year and pick up then. I would not mind having the watch now and not letting it set for six months

33 minutes ago, LomSak27 said:

Thats Ecuador, but there was lot more than "He sued"

 

The expulsion follows a year of ratcheting tension between Assange and his Ecuadorian hosts, culminating in Wikileaks publicizing a leak of hundreds of thousands of hacked emails mysteriously stolen from the inboxes of Ecuador’s president and first lady. It was this last move that finally set Ecuador’s government firmly against Assange.

 

The guy is a flipping idiot. 

Ecuador, yes thanks and caught it. You must have replied faster then I could change! Some time spell check is a B.

5 hours ago, elmrfudd said:

wow, some serious far fetched assumptions going on in this post

That old TDS kicking in this early, take your meds boys!

16 hours ago, SheungWan said:

If it wasn't for the cat crapping everywhere Assange would still be in there. The cat obviously a CIA plant sent in. Inside job that paid off.

I think one of the things that, as they say, the straw that broke the camels back. He sued the country that was protecting him for violating his rights for taking away internet and things, assaulting the guards and just being a pig. Its probably not a good idea to sue the country that’s saving you’re a--. Plus, a change of government in Ecuador that is trying to get closer ties to the USA.

Decide to leave our car at my brother’s house in Alabama and fly out of Birmingham AP. Got to check in at 06:00 am, gave the guy at the counter our US PP. He looks at me and says, no can do, you don’t have a visa for Thailand. I told him look a few pages over for a ME O. He then looked at the wife and stated you can’t go, don’t have a visa for Thailand. I informed him she was Thai and don’t need a Visa and showed him her Thai PP. Also said FYI, you can get a 30 day on arrival and don’t need a Visa (he had the Deer in headlight look). Never did that again, left the car with a good drinking buddy in Fl from then on.

Arrived in Atlanta two years ago from South Korea (old says, if you die and go to hell, you still have to go through Atlanta AP) and going through customs. I decided to be extra friendly to the customs guy. He hands me my customs form back and I move to the next lady. She takes my form and does the old left turn signal to the inspection counter. Now, we have like 40 minutes to make a ¼ mile run to the train, then over another ¼ mile to our gate to board to Florida, plus recheck our bags. I get to the counter and 4/5 Koreans or in front of me with 4 large cardboard boxes taped up. The lady cuts open the first box and starts pulling out all these plastic bags of plants and things, she goes off saying on hell no. Another guy opens another box and same thing. These boxes were full of al kind of mushrooms and things. The lady looks at me and asks, do you have anything to declare, I said nope. She stamped my form and I was on by way.

Bottom line, be polite and answer the question, nothing else. They are looking for anything out of the ordinary.

Had a brother-in-law/ ex BIL, mechanical engineer, making over a 100,000 a month. Several years ago, not sure how long. He owed a debt of just 30,000 Bath. Refuses to pay, just hard headed. Last year his daughter/my niece was looking at buying a house and asked if he could go on part of the note with her. She got approved for 8 mil, needed 3 mil more after down payment. The bank said no way. As long as that money was owed. Told if he paid maybe in two years, he could look at buying something. Can’t even get a car loan in his name.

So I would say she stands no chance.

He was already under the eye of the FBI for a letter someone supposedly sent to him, federal felony using the mail. Foxx stated she recused herself but actually did not, her second in CMD supposedly took over. If Foxx had recused herself (also includes everyone in her office), by law a Special Prosecuted would have been appointed over the case.

The police department was pissed and released a lot of their investigation to the public, THEN Foxx had the case sealed and his record wiped clean. Foxx then stated, on it was an accident and we don’t know how the records got sealed. He was indicted by a grand jury on 16 federal charges. Foxx can’t make that go away.

He has not been to trial and found not guilty so the state can still appoint a prosecutor and take the case. Plus, not only the FBI can go after him for sending the letter to himself, he is stating the attack still happened. That can fall under the FBI to investigate as a federal hate crime. The Feds can do that even if he was found not guilty on the state charges, not double jeopardy.

Foxx got busted corresponding with 1^st lady Obama's chief of staff who was interfering in the case. Numerous pictures of him and the Obamas together as good friends.

5 hours ago, Crossy said:

 

Well something went wrong, just bought 2 cases of Chang from Tesco ????

 

Now I am disappointed (Chang)! I just figured all the Global Moderators sipped the Hi So beverages. They must not be taking care of you Moderators.

Months after her father informed the US he was no longer a diplomat!! If I was in her place I would be telling something like that to. I guess they will sue and let it drag out in court for a few years. Till then I would suggest find a 4th husband and hope he last a little longer then the first 3. If in the end and she does come back let her spend the better part of her life in a maximum prison. As for US citizenship, if some way she can prove her father did (papers, new visa instead of diplomatic visa) I guess we will see. Should be interesting.  

Trump-bitch! I see that TDS kicking in. Take your meds.

Just opened an account with Krung Sri in Nonthaburi. They asked for my wife’s Thai ID card and House Book, my PP. I also gave them a copy of my US DL (my choice). Filed out several forms to include a US Tax form.

Wife ( has US, Thai PP ) and I have had a joint checking account with BB for 11 years (never below 300000) . I just retired last year, spend 8 months here, 4 US . I am on ME O Visa till Dec.

BB branch says no can do, I need a letter from Embassy. They gave me a copy of the form, asks for PP information, home address, Thai address and signed by Embassy, unsure if US Embassy will notarize my home/ Thai address (nowhere for me to sign on form).

Went to BB branch where we do business and opened account 11 years ago. They said same for form. But get a work permit and OK. Told them if I had a work permit, I would not need the 8 in saving, could hear the wheels turning in their head, but they were very nice!

We were at the shopping center, sister-in-law walked into Krung Sri ( around the corner from the first BB branch we tried) and asked about me opening saving account, they said sure bring this and 10,000 to deposit. Went home, got papers, 30 minutes later had my account open with no problem. Fun part is we told the BB we just sold a house and had several million to deposit and wish to put 8 in my saving just in case I decided to do extension, no can do.

Wife went back and opened a joint checking at Krung Sri, going to move all money to new bank. This all happened yesterday the 19^th. She took the check from SCB for house and deposited in new checking account.

My wife has duel US/ Thai PP, we own a house we stay in 7-8 months a year. My Niece and sister-in-law live with us and take care of the house while we are gone. We go to NW Florida and stay as snow birds! Except we get some cold weather, opposite of all the Canadians and northeast people to get out of the very cold who are here. We rent our house out here in Fort Walton Beach Florida to some great renters. Sitting in a condo on the gulf of Mexica at snow bird rates, enjoying. Back to Bangkok in middle of Feb. Also have another house for sell cheap in Nonthaburi area if anyone is interested. Tired of dealing with Nonthaburi immigration ( pain in the ass ). So doing a ME O visa for now. Maybe next year a OA.

3 hours ago, Suradit69 said:

Since the title of this thread includes "UK Pensions" you're not likely to get many people reading your post who are "in the US using a credit union."

 

Start a new thread in the Home Country forum mentioning US Credit Unions.

 

Also reread what you wrote before re-posting. Things like "then transfer down hall" or  "Changing Government deposit plans takes both directions," don't make a lot of sense even in context.

 

Ask your credit union if they can do ACH transfers in the IAT format. Not likely, but if they can, then open a Bangkok Bank account in Thailand and have your credit union send deposits to the New York branch of Bangkok Bank. 

https://www.bangkokbank.com/en/Personal/Other-Services/Transfers/Transferring-Into-Thailand/Transfer-money-from-US-to-Thailand-via-Bangkok-Bank-NewYork-branch

My CU will not send to BB in NYC, but sending money to BB in NYC then they move to BB in Thailand ends Apr. 1.

3 hours ago, Suradit69 said:

Since the title of this thread includes "UK Pensions" you're not likely to get many people reading your post who are "in the US using a credit union."

 

Start a new thread in the Home Country forum mentioning US Credit Unions.

 

Also reread what you wrote before re-posting. Things like "then transfer down hall" or  "Changing Government deposit plans takes both directions," don't make a lot of sense even in context.

 

Ask your credit union if they can do ACH transfers in the IAT format. Not likely, but if they can, then open a Bangkok Bank account in Thailand and have your credit union send deposits to the New York branch of Bangkok Bank. 

https://www.bangkokbank.com/en/Personal/Other-Services/Transfers/Transferring-Into-Thailand/Transfer-money-from-US-to-Thailand-via-Bangkok-Bank-NewYork-branch

I am in the Us at the moment and regardless, this has a lot of information on moving money across countries (UK or Us). I just happen to also have a Credit Union acc. So glad to help with the answer. As for as Credit Unions, my CU will not do it. My understanding is IAT format is used by large corporations to move pay rolls and other large amounts of money. We can't use IAT if that's what it is called.