smotherb

11 hours ago, Benroon said:

You claim only the gullible would get sucked in and finish by saying it’s difficult to stay safe ?  Which is it ? 

Can you read? I did not say "only the gullible" and it is difficult to stay safe when anything you enter is captured and analyzed.

2 hours ago, Con Queso said:

The sheer amount of scam posts that proliferate on FB is scary.  Things like kickstarter pages that try to sucker you in to funding free energy devices, detox scams, crystal healing woo and the list goes on and on.  While I recognize these are scams, I fear for those who are so gullible that they might be mislead by such garbage.

The gullible have always had a rough go at it. FB is not the cause of that, it may simply provide another vehicle to reach them. I think fb and other social media provide a needed service--it is good to be able to keep in touch with loved ones, relatives and friends.  However, you should avoid being gullible and providing personal information. And, that is difficult to do.

52 minutes ago, Percy P said:

I've only been asked for it once at border crossing at PadangBasar. One is required to have 20,000Baht or equivalent or 20,000 Baht in a Thai Bank when entering the Kingdom Of Thailand.

I keep 20,00 Baht in a Thai Bank for this purpose. The pass book is updated the day I depart from T/Land. I also get a Bank letter confirming the amount. I have written on the statement "No money can be withdrawn from the Acc outside of Thailand" in Thai language. fee 100Bhat

Why don't you just carry the B20K-- it's only USD 607, EUR 533 or GBP 475--rather than running around updating pass books the day you fly and having the possibility they will tell you what the OP says, " . . . I showed my credit cards and my Thai bank account. Cannot accept, she said . . ."  According to ubonjoe, post #4, they require cash, he says, "For a visa exempt entry it is the equivalent of 10k baht in cash. For a visa entry it is the equivalent of 20k baht in cash. It can be in any exchangeable currency or baht."

Cash seems to be the key. 

21 hours ago, Rv Hawee said:

Both are British citizen.... both should need to have the monthly 65k.

My wife--we are both American citizens--has been piggy-backing my income-based retirement extensions for the last eleven years--only B65/mo is required. 

18 hours ago, Lacessit said:

How would they know?

Well, I guess you could research tax treaties between your country and the PI. These guys are both off-shore workers whose only source of income is from outside the PI, just as mine was for many of the years I lived there.  I've transferred money into different Philippine banks and even held dollar accounts in them. Never was taxed.

On 11/1/2018 at 1:42 PM, KittenKong said:

As far as I know, yes. They do have some dual-taxation agreements but I'm not aware that the RP has the blanket exemption for earnings not repatriated in the year they are received that Thailand has. I could easily be wrong though as the last I looked into it was about 10 years ago.

I doubt the PI has ever taxed foreign-earned income--at least from US. I have lived there for 10-12 years, over the last 50 years. Only income earned there was ever a concern. I just checked on fb with two of my bros in the PI, both Brits, one there 15 years, the other 27 years--no tax on foreign-earned income

23 minutes ago, tropo said:

Saying they look down on Filipinos doesn't preclude how they feel about other nationalities, but here we are specifically discussing the Philippines.

 

I had no idea about their feelings toward Filipino until a conflict arose a couple of years ago, which opened my eyes.

I said, "I do not have the impression that Thais look down on Filipinos any more than any non-Thai."

Your conflict may be a single occurrence or it may be something my wife and I have never encountered. My wife has interacted with Thais in many areas; she is well-known in our all-Thai community, is active in the Rotary, is a volunteer at a local hospital, and she taught at local schools. I just asked her, she has never felt looked-down upon.

On 11/4/2018 at 7:50 PM, tropo said:

These 3rd and 4th world terms are meaningless and worthless.

 

There's no point discussing this topic with a person who calls themselves "Thainess". Thai people generally consider themselves superior to Filipinos and look down on them. I've noticed this time and time again as my wife is Filipino. There are many pros and many cons that can be discussed here, but an open and balanced mind is required, which is probably something you don't possess.

 

Here's one big plus to consider. If a foreigner is married to a Filipino, you can stay in the Philippines forever without a scrap of paperwork or even a single visit to immigration. To do that you need to exit once a year with your wife, and when you return you're stamped in for one year, no questions asked. In fact, if you are married to a Filipino they are extremely welcoming and friendly toward you at the airport. Contrast that to the unfriendly attitude Foreigners need to endure from Immigration Officers when married to Thais... and all the hoops they have to jump through, and all the financial requirements.

Although,  I agree with most of your post: I do not have the impression that Thais look down on Filipinos any more than any non-Thai. My wife is also Fiipina, we have lived here for over eleven years. My wife has many Thai friends and she feels the Thais much prefer the Filipinos to Malaysians or Singaporeans. In fact, here in Hatyai where many Malaysians visit; the Thais are openly pleased to learn my wife is Filipina rather than Malaysian. 

On 10/31/2018 at 12:24 PM, KittenKong said:

I wonder if that's because this is a Thai forum and so people who read it and post on it would mostly be more likely to live here than in the RP? A bit like asking on a Ford owners forum why so few people own a Toyota?

 

Some things I like about the RP: Friendly people who mostly like foreigners. English is widely understood and all signs are in western script. The local language is very easy to learn, should you wish to. Few strange/inexplicable local customs. Filipinos mostly think like farangs rather than like Asians. The climate is a bit cooler than here. Fairly cheap imports generally. Cheap beer. Cheap cigars. UK pension increases paid in full. Straightforward visa requirements. Filipinos love western music, and you hear it everywhere.

Some things I dont like: Tax on worldwide income. Natural disasters. Poor infrastructure (largely due to the natural disasters). Rather boring local food. The Catholic church. Accommodation is often overpriced and often not very good. Less choice for international air travel.

 

Some say that living in the RP is less secure than it is here, but I'm not convinced. Maybe it's a different type of insecurity.

Have to agree with  most of what you said; except, I have never had to pay taxes on income earned outside the PI. How did they tax you?

Well, I too sleep naked and wear only shorts or underwear in the house, but I love a/c and I don't suffer any ill effects from it; although, you do need to keep them clean. I am from Florida and have spent most of my life in the tropics, but I have usually had a/c. There have been times when I did not have a/c. However, those were short durations of a year or so here and there and I sough a/c bars and restaurants when I could.  I have three a/cs in my house here. I use one of them all day long--the bill runs about B3k/mo. I consider that worth it.

2 hours ago, Russell17au said:

No, the point is that the Thai's have stated that they want verification of income, now if verification of income is supplied to them from the embassy they cannot then change there mind and say "No, we want the money in our banks"

Oh? I have not seen the official word from Thai immigration which caused the US and UK embassies to discontinue the income letters. Have you?

However, I have been told by Thai immigration that they wanted to see the B65k monthly filtered through a Thai bank.

In case you missed it, the US Mission in Thailand said it, " . . . cannot provide this verification and will no longer issue the affidavits."

6 minutes ago, Russell17au said:

No, what I mean is can you get an official document from social security verifying what your income is that you are receiving from them?

Never tried to get an official document from the. The SSA does send you the SSA-1099 tax forms every year.

The 1099 is official enough for the IRS, but the IRS checks with the SSA. I doubt the Thais would consider it official. 

But, I think you miss the point; it appears the Thais want the money filtered through Thailand monthly. 

4 minutes ago, Russell17au said:

How easy would it be to verify the US social security payment?

Pretty easy if you filter it through a Thai bank.

It seems to me to be a minor problem.

The average US monthly social security over $1400; which is over B46K.

Enough for any American married to a Thai to meet the B40k/mo requirement.

If not married to a Thai; you'll have to amass almost $7k/B230k to make the requirement.

4 hours ago, robblok said:

Bad news for US nationals.

 

I have said it before just swearing to something leaves too many loopholes open its illegal to swear to things that are not the truth but the chances of being caught were almost non existent. 

 

Seems all sides have finally seen the same problems and fixed it in the most convenient way for them and not for the best way for their clients. Seems putting money in a Thai account is the way to go.

Sounds like sour grapes--jealous were you?

You think most US income holders were lying do you? Then why is the UK embassy stopping the income letters too?

You see, neither embassy is willing to verify income. The only difference; the UK embassy required you to provide paper work. 

And you couldn't figure that out, eh?

18 hours ago, wgdanson said:

If you had USD 100M in the bank, why would you want to retire in Thailand?

Why, is Thailand only for those who cannot afford to live elsewhere?

13 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

I was not referring to the OP. Just giving an example as to why 12 months of proof is not required.

I fail to see how immigration could equate B195k (3 x 65k) to the living potential of having B800k.

4 hours ago, Kopitiam said:

What would you suggest to those who can't manage it?

Well, at least two real good options--1) you can just sit here and bitch about it or 2) sit here and claim to love it

7 hours ago, See Will said:

So you will say I probably getting ripped off? I knew I am not a good business man.

Better I stay offshore and make my money the honest way. 

Sorry franck88, my "loan shop" is closed now due to incompetence.. ????????

My, you do read things unsaid. What I said, and what I meant, was that you were giving a good deal for 5-6. And, you even said, "Best price guarantee as usual.. "

9 hours ago, See Will said:

If you need cash your right here.

I can offer you any amount for lets say 20% interest per month.

Best price guarantee as usual..

 

Ah, you are the benevolent one; 5-6 is usually compounded weekly.

6 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

6 hours ago, ratcatcher said:

Just remember there's a new boss at Immigration Dept. I'm not Joking.

I thought it was a big joke? We don't know the impact on agents yet

No, we don't. However, agents are a high-profile avoidance tactic and will certainly be known to immigration.  

55 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Which office?

Hatyai

57 minutes ago, kinyara said:

No, and if you bring your 65k in a month for a couple of years you could save enough to meet the 800k requirement and your problem is solved.

 

My my, bless your heart. You see, I spend far ore than my B65k/month so I could not possibly save the B800k from that.

While it is rather naive--had to edit this--of you to think that I do not have B800k to post. However, I cannot see the advantage of selling producing investments to put in Thailand. And, I have sufficient income to not need to.

However, my question was will they make you B800k posters show at least B65k/mo too, like they will likely ask the the income statement people to do?  

I have been through immigration not wanting to accept my income statement twice. Each time they reluctantly accepted it and told me to show proof of my B65k/monthly into Thailand. The first time it was just a warning and they gave me no specific instructions. The second time, which was two years later; they made me write and sign a letter stating I would deposit B65k/month in a Thai bank to show them in order to get my retirement extension.  Last year, after my wife diligently posted monthly to a Thai bank the previous year, the Immigration Office did not even ask about it and  accepted the income statement without question. 

One argument I had that is still pertinent, is the fact that the total money a foreigner is required to have by the Thais is not what you are required to spend in Thailand. As it stands, it appears those on income are going to have to show B65k/mo entering Thailand. Are those on lump sum going to have to show at least B65k is spent monthly of the B800k in the bank?  

28 minutes ago, wgdanson said:

You say you use one a/c 24/7. And two a/c's 36/7.....there are only 24 hours in a day !

 

Well, you see the numbers are cumulative use.

We use a/c 24/7. We have three a/cs, let's call them #1, #2, and #3.

We alternate the use of both #1--in the third-floor bedroom--and #2--in the second-floor living room--approximately 12 hours each daily.

When guests are over, they may use #3--in the second floor bedroom--for 12 hours.

#1  12 hours a day

#2  12 hours a day

#3  12 hours a day

__________________

Total a/c use/day = 36hours/day

Edit, forgot this question: The video or audio are on 24/7 because I like background noise 24/7.