Making the move to Thailand need sugestions

[Johpa]

You have also been living on the beach in the Virgin Islands and now want a home with a pool in Chiang Mai. You are already getting $4,500 a month in medical disability and you also want the US tax payers to pay for your further education?!? Clearly the VA works for some and not for others. Any further comments on my part would get me kicked off of ThaiVisa permanently.

[butterisbetter]

You have also been living on the beach in the Virgin Islands and now want a home with a pool in Chiang Mai. You are already getting $4,500 a month in medical disability and you also want the US tax payers to pay for your further education?!? Clearly the VA works for some and not for others. Any further comments on my part would get me kicked off of ThaiVisa permanently.

Permanently and deservedly. I think most Americans don't begrudge people who have incurred serious injury on behalf of their country the kind of modest stipend Ikory is receiving.

[Tywais]

You have also been living on the beach in the Virgin Islands and now want a home with a pool in Chiang Mai. You are already getting $4,500 a month in medical disability and you also want the US tax payers to pay for your further education?!? Clearly the VA works for some and not for others. Any further comments on my part would get me kicked off of ThaiVisa permanently.

What nonsense and out of line. I don't know what you are on about but part of being in the military are veterans benefits and is what paid my way through university. Or do you consider serving your country and being in harms way not worth anything extra? BTW, military personnel and veterans are also tax payers.

[hmficc]

I operated an hotel on St Croix for 10 years. The crime was bad and a danger for a family. CM is as safe as you will find. Air pollution is much worse ( insane for 2 months) and unhealthy all times of the year esp. in the city by U.S or island standards.

[ikory]

You have also been living on the beach in the Virgin Islands and now want a home with a pool in Chiang Mai. You are already getting $4,500 a month in medical disability and you also want the US tax payers to pay for your further education?!? Clearly the VA works for some and not for others. Any further comments on my part would get me kicked off of ThaiVisa permanently.

So you are assuming they just handed me my benefits? I originally was discharged with zero benefits. I was unable to lift my right arm above my head, I have wrist drop, and a foot drop. All the nerves in my body are horrific. Guess how often I fall? It hurts a lot. I mean a lot. I think I have dislocated my knee about 6 times in last few years. My nerves are very weak and a girl can easily kick my ass. The military originally gave me zero benefits and a honorable discharge and was told to go to the VA for benefits and medical treatment. After years of some horrific things dealing with the VA I finally was awarded 100% which is nothing 3,300 a month for a family of four. It took years to get a hearing to contest my discharge. 2 lawyers and I went to DC for a hearing. They over turned my discharged and gave me a medical retirement which really just gave me tricare and base privileges. I applied for SSDI and that took 3 months thank god. So no the military did not just hand me a golden ticket.

I mean I can go on and give a sad story that we can make into a lifetime movie so you can feel better about how I choose to use my benefits. I think those benefits should be used to improve my quality and my families quality of life wouldn't you agree?

Edited September 1, 2013 by ikory

[ericthai]

Wow thank you all for the very informative post.

I am not allowed to work as I am on SSDI(NOT SSI), 40% retired with the Marines, and 100% with the Veterans affairs.

As we live out of suitcases I think if something does happen in Thailand we can easily move to a different Country. I really hope we can call Thailand are new home, but nothing in life is set in stone.

Nancy my family is covered under Tricare. That is great the hospital takes tricare. I agree I do not think I will like the VFW. I would probably end up telling all those old guys I am special forces (joking).

Yeah I think we will just end up homeschooling the children. However it is very important that the kids interact with other children which I am sure we could find a way for that to happen.

Now you all have me worried about the Visa issue. So if I take a 6 week Thai language course with my wife and as soon as the class ends the visa ends? That would be really sad. I still have about a year and half of education benefits left so I could go to school full time and get paid to do it. That is at least a short fix. I hate condos but if we buy a dirt cheap condo I wonder if we can get a long stay that way.

I like the idea of running to Laos, Burma, or Cambodia for a new visa if that is possible. I am sure it will be amazing experience for the kids to have.

Dont worry about the visa that much. You can take a 1 year thai language class so this can get you a year. Which is not much time. You said you can do back to school and finish your degree. This too will give you an Ed Visa for as long as you are in school 1,2 or 5 years. The idea of buying a condo to get a visa will not work unless you spend over 10 million Baht for the condo.

With the degree that your wife has she could easily get a job teaching English but make sure she gets a job at a reputable place and that they will provide a work permit. Many places say yes they will get you a work permit by they drag things out and never do it. She should get the Work permit before she starts working. She may even be able to only work part time. If she gets a job this will allow her to get a Non-immigrant B visa to be able to get her work permit. You can then get a non-immigrant B based on her working. So that will solve your visa issue. Just a note: Children under the age of 15 do not pay any fines for overstay. I had a friend that had 2 children lived in Thailand for 3 years and arranged visa's for him and his wife but never did anything with his children. When they finally left Thailand there was no problems. Just wanted to let you know this.

I would check in the virgin islands to see if there is a Thai Embassy or consultant and get a tourist visa there prior to coming to Thailand. Try and get a double entry 90 day or whatever you can get. I would really try and get a 1 year non-immigrant B visa, tell them you are moving to Thailand for business. That you are going to Thailand to open a company. Push for a 1 year multi-entry B visa. Not sure you will get it but try. I know when I first started coming to Thailand about 20 years ago all I did was tell the Thai consultant in the US that I was going for business. They issued me a 1 year non-immigrant B visa no problem. I came home each year for Christmas and get a new visa. Now I own a company here and my staff takes care of my Work permit visa ect. So I have not done that in about 5-6 years. I know things have changed and getting more strict. But you can try.

I dont live in Chang Mai but in Isaan which is the Northeastern part of the county so hard for me to say how much a house will rent for in Chain Mai. I would think a House with a pool would be around 15000-20000. We own so I'm not an expert on house rental especially in Chang Mai. I do know we rented out my sister-in-laws house which is in our village a small 2 bedroom for only 1500B per month which has aircon. There are deals out there you need to work to find them. Good people to ask is food stall operators. You said you wanted a maid. a live in maid should be around 6-7K Baht per month. Electric should be no more than 3000B. Internet depends on speed, location no more than 1000B Satellite from 1500-2700B per month. One last thought for a visa is you could open a company.

Being a us citizen you can own the company 100%, but there are limitations on what you can do. Otherwise you need to open with a thai which the Thai must have majority share holdings. 51%. Then you need to hire 4 thai. This would allow you to have a work permit.I would do this as a last resort as there are some issues. A few stated dont move until you are sure, but in your case coming for a visit or moving here is the same thing, so dont worry about those comments.

Oh, I forgot a massage will cost you about 300B for two hours. That is one of the reasons I wanted to live in Thailand.

One last thing, Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Good Luck!!

[ikory]

I operated an hotel on St Croix for 10 years. The crime was bad and a danger for a family. CM is as safe as you will find. Air pollution is much worse ( insane for 2 months) and unhealthy all times of the year esp. in the city by U.S or island standards.

Yeah I agree about the crime on the islands is really high. I will take the advice on the air quality.

Ericthai outstanding advice. I was wondering how to deal with the children and the visa's as well.

I was wondering looking at rental prices online. How much room is there to negotiate the price?

[NeverSure]

First, thanks for your service. As a US taxpayer I am happy to contribute my part to your needs. As they say, you wrote a blank check for your life and now we should happily take care of you.

I don't understand why you don't go back to some part of the US. You have a right to be there, a right to own land, it is huge and varied in weather, appearance, lifestyle, and even cost of living.

In Thailand you will quickly find that you are a guest with no rights at all, almost. Visas for the whole family will be tricky, long term. Thailand has long term visas for people in other circumstance such as the over 50 retired group and the married to a Thai group and the work permit group, but you don't appear to fall into any of those categories.

Just my two cents, and good luck in whatever you decide.

[elektrified]

OP have you ever been to Thailand before?

[Crazy chef 1]

If I am not mistaken you actually didn't asked about visa issues( bec I think you are smart enough to find a solution yourself) you asked where to stay,isn'it.Cm,CR are beautiful places to life but I think more for the more aged expat population( no offense intended) issaan is IMHO also a very peaceful place to settle but more for ppl with a Thai partner otherwise you will encounter communication problems.forget about Phuket or pattaya due the "target" group is different.i live in Cha Am and I love it.not too busy but al the convinience needed( shopping,schools,restaurants). Next bigger town is hua hin some 30 km away.nice national parks,entertainment for the kids and nice people around not much scamming is going on,police behave quiet professional.to rent a house with pool will be around 20k a months plus all the utilities you will end up around 30 k no double pricing here around.if you would like to get more infos about the place just pm me. Cheers

[mesquite]

You have also been living on the beach in the Virgin Islands and now want a home with a pool in Chiang Mai. You are already getting $4,500 a month in medical disability and you also want the US tax payers to pay for your further education?!? Clearly the VA works for some and not for others. Any further comments on my part would get me kicked off of ThaiVisa permanently.

So you are assuming they just handed me my benefits? I originally was discharged with zero benefits. I was unable to lift my right arm above my head, I have wrist drop, and a foot drop. All the nerves in my body are horrific. Guess how often I fall? It hurts a lot. I mean a lot. I think I have dislocated my knee about 6 times in last few years. My nerves are very weak and a girl can easily kick my ass. The military originally gave me zero benefits and a honorable discharge and was told to go to the VA for benefits and medical treatment. After years of some horrific things dealing with the VA I finally was awarded 100% which is nothing 3,300 a month for a family of four. It took years to get a hearing to contest my discharge. 2 lawyers and I went to DC for a hearing. They over turned my discharged and gave me a medical retirement which really just gave me tricare and base privileges. I applied for SSDI and that took 3 months thank god. So no the military did not just hand me a golden ticket.

I mean I can go on and give a sad story that we can make into a lifetime movie so you can feel better about how I choose to use my benefits. I think those benefits should be used to improve my quality and my families quality of life wouldn't you agree?

Ikory, thank you for your service to the United States.

As you are finding out, there is some jealousy here in Chiang Mai over people who have money. Pay it no mind.

[NancyL]

There is quite an active community of young families here in CM -- it's just that us old retirees who hang out here on TV don't interact much with them.

The Chiang Mai Community Church is the place to meet other young families. They have the Raintree Resource Center -- a library with many books and materials for young children. There are play groups and lots of kids activities. Just because it's a church, they don't cram religion down your throat -- you can pick and choose the activities of interest, skip the Bible study classes (for example) but do the kids activities. Most of the young western women become friends with the other young western moms. There are various activities, too, for families who home school, so the kids have lots of chances to socialize.

The families I know with young children just love it here. Most live in Moo Baans (housing developments) near their kids' schools and the kids can ride their bikes to school, to their friends, to the pool in the development. Slightly older kids can take the song thaews (shared ride buses) into the malls. It's safe for kids to move around in small groups here. The only negative I hear from families with kids is the cost of quality education.

And for those of you who are jealous of the OP's income -- what kind of life do you think he'd have on that income in the U.S. for a family of four? Not a good one. It's great that he and his wife are exposing the kids to various cultures and adventures while they're young.

[hellodolly]

You have also been living on the beach in the Virgin Islands and now want a home with a pool in Chiang Mai. You are already getting $4,500 a month in medical disability and you also want the US tax payers to pay for your further education?!? Clearly the VA works for some and not for others. Any further comments on my part would get me kicked off of ThaiVisa permanently.

What nonsense and out of line. I don't know what you are on about but part of being in the military are veterans benefits and is what paid my way through university. Or do you consider serving your country and being in harms way not worth anything extra? BTW, military personnel and veterans are also tax payers.

Brings to mind draft dodgers in the 60s

[ericthai]

I operated an hotel on St Croix for 10 years. The crime was bad and a danger for a family. CM is as safe as you will find. Air pollution is much worse ( insane for 2 months) and unhealthy all times of the year esp. in the city by U.S or island standards.

Yeah I agree about the crime on the islands is really high. I will take the advice on the air quality.

Ericthai outstanding advice. I was wondering how to deal with the children and the visa's as well.

I was wondering looking at rental prices online. How much room is there to negotiate the price?

Glad I could help. I'm not sure about negotiating I would assume each listing is different so might be possible if

empty for a long time. If you have any other questions post or PM me I will help you as much as I can.

[mooris7]

I agree with a few of the other posters. Bring your family here first on a two week vacation. If they like it then consider to stay. First you need to consider your visa options. I am not sure you can qualify for a retirement visa at your age. Another wards you may need to acquire tourists visa for a family of 4 which in the beginning will be easy. After I think hauling a family of four off to do visa runs every so often is not a practical idea. You also must consider schooling for your kids. Can they attend a Thai govt school, or a private school. That will also cost money. Are you and your wife qualified to work as teachers? It is difficult to find work outside the education industry in Thailand but is is possible. Other than the cost of living is there another reason you want to move here. Maybe the Thai girls by chance? The reason I ask is other than the cost of living you don't seem to have a good plan!

[butterisbetter]

First, thanks for your service. As a US taxpayer I am happy to contribute my part to your needs. As they say, you wrote a blank check for your life and now we should happily take care of you.

I don't understand why you don't go back to some part of the US. You have a right to be there, a right to own land, it is huge and varied in weather, appearance, lifestyle, and even cost of living.

In Thailand you will quickly find that you are a guest with no rights at all, almost. Visas for the whole family will be tricky, long term. Thailand has long term visas for people in other circumstance such as the over 50 retired group and the married to a Thai group and the work permit group, but you don't appear to fall into any of those categories.

Just my two cents, and good luck in whatever you decide.

Possibly because while an income of 139000 baht per month may seem munificent here, in the States it won't get you very far.

[mooris7]

I agree with a few of the other posters. Bring your family here first on a two week vacation. If they like it then consider to stay. First you need to consider your visa options. I am not sure you can qualify for a retirement visa at your age. Another wards you may need to acquire tourists visa for a family of 4 which in the beginning will be easy. After I think hauling a family of four off to do visa runs every so often is not a practical idea. You also must consider schooling for your kids. Can they attend a Thai govt school, or a private school. That will also cost money. Are you and your wife qualified to work as teachers? It is difficult to find work outside the education industry in Thailand but is is possible. Other than the cost of living is there another reason you want to move here. Maybe the Thai girls by chance? The reason I ask is other than the cost of living you don't seem to have a good plan!

The best idea for you would be to visit the nearest Thai Embassy, consulate, or call them. Tell them your idea and ask them their suggestions for the families visas. You will always get conflicting info on the forum about visas. Some will say I did it and others will say you can't do it. Visa rules change often so this is a better idea. Your visas are the number 1 concern I think.

[butterisbetter]

If you want your visa questions answered, here's a link to the forum for that: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/1-thai-visas-residency-and-work-permits/

As the name of this website suggests, that class of question was the reason it was created in the first place. You can probably get recommendations there of good local people to work with to make this all simple. In Chiang Mai, there are business devoted to doing just this kind of thing. I use Star Visa which is located near the American consulate in Chiang Mai. But there are others.

Edited September 2, 2013 by butterisbetter

[ianf]

Yeah I think we will just end up homeschooling the children. However it is very important that the kids interact with other children which I am sure we could find a way for that to happen.

You could find a local school - let them learn & socialise there (follow the curriculum yourself, somehow) but give them the antidote to the indoctrination at home.

(Would love to hear what is in the indoctrination that induces the xenophobia. - Anybody?)

As long as the children are friendly I would not be against my child in a Thai school. We would still have to home school him. If he picks up on some of the language that would be a good thing. The other child is only 2 so no worries right now about him.

Personally I am not sure that sending non-Thai kids to a Thai school is a good idea. There is an underlying racism in Thailand and even thgose kids who are half-Thai have problems - for example, when they do their military training camps these half Thai kids are treated as 'farangs' and the all-Thai kids simply do not treat them as an equal human being.

Personally, I can understand why the OP wants to come to Thailand from the economic point of view. But Thailand is not all that it is cracked up to be. There's a grimace behind the thai 'smile'. If you want to stay here, keep yourself to yourself and don't get too involved with the Thais. And that really is not so nice when you are in their country. If I could sell my house, I'd be back to the UK tomorrow. Four and a half years has been enough for me. I am sick of the lies, cheating, double pricing for farangs, underlying racism, mosquitos, dirt, scams, politics and so on. So come and buy my house and I can catch the next flight home!!!

[NCC1701A]

Thank you for your service to your country.

Op have you considered the Philippines? I believe you can get a retirement visa there at 35, English is very common, huge expat community.

Check out Cambodia. MUCH easier than Thailand for visa and cheaper, but less facilities and maybe too wild west for the kids.

Look into the city of Udon Thani. A little cheaper than Chiang Mai.

You need to come to Thailand on a vacation trip and look around. I have been all over the Caribbean. The beaches in Thailand not anywhere as nice as the Caribbean. The weather is not as nice as the Caribbean. The air and sunlight is not the same. It is hot and humid 24/7 in Thailand.

Roads are extremely dangerous. I am a very experienced driver and I can tell you the tension driving in Thailand is unbelievable. If I had kids I would be very concerned all the time. Common sense transportation safety regulations for buses and trucks are a joke.

I am a American. Get ready to sit on a bus with some of the people you just got finished shooting at or have nukes pointed at the US right now. It is all cool here but you really have to keep your mouth shut around other foreigners.

Thailand is a de facto police state. So police check points are common on the highways and you have no rights. Unlike the US, you will be asked and If you can't show you are in the country legally you will be detained.

Thailand is the child molesters and human trafficking capital of the world.

is your wife ready for zero Political Correctness? No work place discrimination or sex harassment laws? I have no idea what kind of shape in are in physically, but your relationship with your wife could be strained being surrounded by Thai woman all the time.

How are you going to get the kids back to the US to work after growing up in Thailand? The culture shock would be very difficult. Because of the draconian drugs laws in Thailand, have rebellious teenagers here could be a real nightmare.

OK, that being said, you should be able to live quite nicely on your income. Chiang Mai is very laid back and appeals to a more intelligent group of people than say down at the beach areas. Great hospitals, many universities, malls, nice restaurants, Internet can be hit or miss and requires some research.

I am wondering with you disability, can you ride a scooter or motorcycle which is a very common mode of transportation here? Other wise you should know cars and trucks of all types are very expensive here compared to the U.S.

Sorry to be so negative, but it is really easy to see all the great things about Thailand. It can be really wonderful here. I just wanted you to know about some of the down side.

Edited September 2, 2013 by NCC1701A

[elektrified]

Yeah I think we will just end up homeschooling the children. However it is very important that the kids interact with other children which I am sure we could find a way for that to happen.

You could find a local school - let them learn & socialise there (follow the curriculum yourself, somehow) but give them the antidote to the indoctrination at home.

(Would love to hear what is in the indoctrination that induces the xenophobia. - Anybody?)

As long as the children are friendly I would not be against my child in a Thai school. We would still have to home school him. If he picks up on some of the language that would be a good thing. The other child is only 2 so no worries right now about him.

Personally I am not sure that sending non-Thai kids to a Thai school is a good idea. There is an underlying racism in Thailand and even thgose kids who are half-Thai have problems - for example, when they do their military training camps these half Thai kids are treated as 'farangs' and the all-Thai kids simply do not treat them as an equal human being.

Personally, I can understand why the OP wants to come to Thailand from the economic point of view. But Thailand is not all that it is cracked up to be. There's a grimace behind the thai 'smile'. If you want to stay here, keep yourself to yourself and don't get too involved with the Thais. And that really is not so nice when you are in their country. If I could sell my house, I'd be back to the UK tomorrow. Four and a half years has been enough for me. I am sick of the lies, cheating, double pricing for farangs, underlying racism, mosquitos, dirt, scams, politics and so on. So come and buy my house and I can catch the next flight home!!!

Well you're certainly bitter.

Points that I agree on:

1. Thailand is not all that it is cracked up to be;

2. mosquitoes;

3. dirt;

4. Thai politics

Nothing wrong with Thai people. I've been friends with Thais for more than 25 years. I prefer them any day to Russians and some Eastern Europeans. I've not had any problems with lying, cheating, racism, etc. Like I always say...pick your friends carefully.

He can't buy your house. Only a Thai can...but you already know that.

[butterisbetter]

Thai TV has lots of soap operas. A hugely disproportionate number of the actors in those soap operas are half thai half farang. These shows are in the business of selling products. If a certain class of actor turned off the audience, you can be sure that they wouldn't be hired. In fact, the ratio clearly suggests that being half farang is considered a good thing.One of the nice things about Thailand is that it's one of the few countries whose citizens largely aren't prejudiced against white people. Of course, if you are African-American or a member of some other darker skinned racial group, then you will experience prejudice. ANd your children will especially experience this in a Thai school. But this is general to virtually all of east asia.

There was another post recently where someone made similar allegations against the Thai people. I think that, oddly enough, this same poster that cited this parable which I will retell badly.. There was a Village A and a Village B. On the road between them was located the house of a wise man. A traveler coming from Village A told the wise man that the people in Village A were very kind and friendly and asked the wise man what the people in Village B were like. The wise man said, "You will find that they are just the same." Another traveler going from Village A to Village B also encountered the wise man. He said that the people in Village A were very unkind and hostile and asked the wise man what the people in Village B were like. The wise man replied, "You will find that they are just the same."

Thank you for your service to your country.

Op have you considered the Philippines? I believe you can get a retirement visa there at 35, English is very common, huge expat community.

Check out Cambodia. MUCH easier than Thailand for visa and cheaper, but less facilities and maybe too wild west for the kids.

Look into the city of Udon Thani. A little cheaper than Chiang Mai.

You need to come to Thailand on a vacation trip and look around. I have been all over the Caribbean. The beaches in Thailand not anywhere as nice as the Caribbean. The weather is not as nice as the Caribbean. The air and sunlight is not the same. It is hot and humid 24/7 in Thailand.

Roads are extremely dangerous. I am a very experienced driver and I can tell you the tension driving in Thailand is unbelievable. If I had kids I would be very concerned all the time. Common sense transportation safety regulations for buses and trucks are a joke.

I am a American. Get ready to sit on a bus with some of the people you just got finished shooting at or have nukes pointed at the US right now. It is all cool here but you really have to keep your mouth shut around other foreigners.

Thailand is a de facto police state. So police check points are common on the highways and you have no rights. Unlike the US, you will be asked and If you can't show you are in the country legally you will be detained.

Thailand is the child molesters and human trafficking capital of the world.

is your wife ready for zero Political Correctness? No work place discrimination or sex harassment laws? I have no idea what kind of shape in are in physically, but your relationship with your wife could be strained being surrounded by Thai woman all the time.

How are you going to get the kids back to the US to work after growing up in Thailand? The culture shock would be very difficult. Because of the draconian drugs laws in Thailand, have rebellious teenagers here could be a real nightmare.

OK, that being said, you should be able to live quite nicely on your income. Chiang Mai is very laid back and appeals to a more intelligent group of people than say down at the beach areas. Great hospitals, many universities, malls, nice restaurants, Internet can be hit or miss and requires some research.

I am wondering with you disability, can you ride a scooter or motorcycle which is a very common mode of transportation here? Other wise you should know cars and trucks of all types are very expensive here compared to the U.S.

Sorry to be so negative, but it is really easy to see all the great things about Thailand. It can be really wonderful here. I just wanted you to know about some of the down side.

[Thighlander]

Western food is double here compared with Albertsons/Frys/FoodLion. This is especially true for the stuff kids eat, and adults, who eat like kids.....Cheerios/hot dogs/pizza/grilled cheese/lunch meat. The Europeans may deny this, just like they will say food is the same in Thailand as Cambodia, but hat is because they pay a lot more for food than we do. 4 Dollar bbq sauce, 6 Dollar pickles, 4 Dollar mustard, 5 Dollar mayo/5 Dollar salad dressing.....rice and fruit are cheap....but oranges, apples, and berries are a lot more here.

[Johpa]

I must be associating with the wrong crowd. And many of you missed my point. Most of the vets I know are struggling to get benefits from the VA. One is homeless. Another can't get any medical benefits to obtain the treatment he needs. I know of none who are in a position to live on a beach in the Virgin Islands or relocate to Chiang Mai and live in a home with a pool. From my experience with vets, and I interact with vets on an almost daily basis, this story just does not add up.

Anyways, Payap University is accredited by the US government and there are a number of young vets studying there in the international program on VA loans and scholarships.

[puukao]

bring tons of facemasks, especially for the kids. they will need to wear them for a few months, at least, every year. if not, I worry about the development of their lungs. yes, this is very serious. or hopefully you can leave for a few months a year....

[Thighlander]

I rented to a "disabled vet." He was the worst tenant I ever had. A total, lifelong system player. I don't think he ever fired a weapon. A management company placed him. I later learned a had been arrested for "prison contraband." Some of them are extra disgraceful, because they are raking resources from the Vets, who really need it, which is a lot.

I'm not qualified to judge, who is faking it, and who is not, but if the number was half; it wouldn't surprise me.

[ikory]

I must be associating with the wrong crowd. And many of you missed my point. Most of the vets I know are struggling to get benefits from the VA. One is homeless. Another can't get any medical benefits to obtain the treatment he needs. I know of none who are in a position to live on a beach in the Virgin Islands or relocate to Chiang Mai and live in a home with a pool. From my experience with vets, and I interact with vets on an almost daily basis, this story just does not add up.

Anyways, Payap University is accredited by the US government and there are a number of young vets studying there in the international program on VA loans and scholarships.

Sorry nothing is adding up for you. I will break this down as quickly as possible and hopefully this will give you some insight when talking to your vet buddies. Not all vets have the same injuries. Examples of mine are 40% left arm nerve damage, 60% right wrist drop(with some finger moment) and upper arm nerve damage, 40% for loss of use of right foot, 20% for left leg nerve damage. Plus special compensation K 100 dollars for loss of use of foot. So VA math 60% + 40% +40+20% = 88% which is not even $2000 a month. Now with bilateral factors I get extra percents so it knocks me up to 100%. With a family of 4 and that $100 for loss of use of a limb I get $3267 a month from the VA. SSDI has nothing to do with the military and is a disability insurance program for those who have enough work credits. Which is around $1200 a month with a family is what I have earned.

Now the VA is so horrible disorganized that it takes them over a year to make a decision. Which they have lost my evidence and rated me much lower. It took years to fix everything with the VA getting all the proper evidence in order. They also said I missed a C&P appointment which I was there that day. VA can be a nightmare. Congress is giving them until 2015 to fix this and make all decisions within 4 months time.

I needed knee surgery in february 2011 at the st. louis va hospital and they got shut down the day before my surgery because of dirty equipment. Same hospital a year before that also sent me a letter saying I need to come in for blood test, because the dental clinic did not clean the equipment properly. That was a big hiv scare.

So nothing was simple at all.

Anyways this is a completely different topic that has nothing to do with my thread.

[ikory]

A lot of great amazing information. A few uncalled for responses. I will have to let all this information sink in. The burning issue now seems like it is my number one problem with children.

i have read everything once. I am going to go back up and read everything again and try to do more research.

Edited September 2, 2013 by ikory

[butterisbetter]

bring tons of facemasks, especially for the kids. they will need to wear them for a few months, at least, every year. if not, I worry about the development of their lungs. yes, this is very serious. or hopefully you can leave for a few months a year....

This is just nuts. Our child is thriving here, it looks like the kids at our child's school are thriving, Chiang Mai is overrun with children and they all seem to be doing well. The is a case of one more over-the-top negative poster.

[LivinginKata]

An off topic question has been removed.