verticalift

Just to make the cremation a tad more interesting….. if you are able….. just a few moments before you pass away, eat about 2kg of popcorn kernels….:)

Simply supplement your immune system. Easy.

A Canadian “Computer Engineer” arrives in Thailand 03 February, and makes his way to Chang Mai. Just four (4) days latter on 07 February he’s on an airplane departing Chang Mai to go back to Canada via Bangkok. That’s a Hell of a long trip for just a couple days in Chang Mai. Who did he meet with in Chang Mai…? What was discussed at the meeting..? What threats were made..? Was there going to be someone waiting for him Airside when the plane landed in BKK, or in YVR..? I’m sure Thai DSI will be interested in “Chatting” with him….

I always use the Phuket drive thru, showing up 1 week before my 90 day is due, just in case I can’t make it on the exact due date and am delayed. I’ve lived in Phuket since 1998 and have seen great improvement with Phuket Immigration over the years. Issued with a 10 year “O-X” Retirement Visa in 2019 by the Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the 90 day Ck takes all of 2-3 minutes when using the drive thru. Passport, along with the 90 day notification from your previous visit is all that’s required.

I got my Yellow Book Tambian Baan about 12 years ago, as well as my Thai ID Pink Card. I have found that having both prove to be great “supporting” documents when dealing with the Thai officialdom here. You can now also open an account at the Government Savings Bank (GSB) for which Thai ID is mandatory. An account with GSB is important if you have more than 1MTB on deposit and you want to keep it all at just one (1) Bank. All other Banks in Thailand are deemed “Commercial” Banks ie SCB, UOB, KMA…..and are subject to the Deposit Protection Agency (DPA) new restrictions. Prior to 4 yrs ago the DPA covered / insured cash deposits up to 10MTB, It was then reduced to 5MTB. In 2021 it was further reduced to 1MTB. Doesn’t exactly instill much confidence in the Thai Banking Sector….5555 So, if you keep more than 1MTB on deposit here in Thailand, you’d be wise to open accounts at several banks to protect your cash in the event of Banks failing. The GSB is not a “Commercial Bank” and all deposits are protected.

Sorry to say this but…… If and when you arrive in Issan, be prepared to hand over a lotta Baht. You will have become a walking ATM machine…..

Sadly, the actual deaths caused by road accidents is most probably much higher. To my knowledge, Thai authorities only record a death caused by a road accident, if the individual "dies at the scene of the accident". If the individual dies in the ambulance, or in the hospital as a result of injuries sustained in the accident, then their death is recorded as having died from other causes. If I am wrong regarding this, then I sit corrected. I've lived here on Phuket for the past 25 years. I've seen bodies cartwheeling through the air. I've seen the impacts...... and the aftermath. During my first trip to Phuket in '98, I rented a little 110cc Rice-Rocket. Despite having owned a Honda 550 Four overseas in my youth and being very comfortable riding, 15 minutes after renting my little Rice-Rocket, it was laying underneath a 60' tour bus after its driver tried to kill me. That was the last time I was ever on a bike. I now drive a Volvo with a lotta airbags. Phuket is a tourist destination. "Everybody" is on vacation and with that, goes much drinking....... and driving amongst both Thai's and foreigners. Back in the late 90's, I found myself on more than one occasion driving here in Phuket, when I shouldn't have been. If I had been stopped by the police and tested, I'd probably still be in jail. And, rightly so. Now many years on, if I want to have a drink, I do so at home while grilling a pork chop on the BBQ. Serious enforcement with heavy fines and jail time, similar to other countries here in SE Asia like S'pore, would I believe help in reducing fatalities here on Phuket.

I was faced with the same issue about 25yrs ago when I bought my first vehicle here. What make and model should I buy…? My question was answered when I started noticing the number of Isuzus on the road. They’re relatively inexpensive and cheap to maintain. If you’re going to be doing any traveling, you can install a cover over the back bed (Carryboy) for all your gear. If you do breakdown somewhere, there’s probably a Thai kid walking down the street that knows how to fix it. Look at what the older generation Thai guy drives and your question will be answered.

I just did this with 4 of my banks, UOB, SCB, KMA and Bangkok Bank, transferring 1MTB in each bank from Savings Accounts over to 12 month Fixed Term Deposits. A painless process except for Bangkok Bank who required I go to Immigration and get a letter, saying that I could open a 2nd account. Mai Khao Jaiiii. Just for info….. the Thai Deposit Protection Agency (DPA) now only guarantee deposits up to a maximum of 1MTB in the event of Bank Failure. 8 years ago, the DPA guaranteed 10MTB. 5 years ago it was reduced down to 5MTB. 2 years ago….. 1MTB. Doesn’t really say much for confidence in the banking sector here in T’land.

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I’d kinda like to see the Excited States of America’s Immigration and Border Patrol take the same stand. Can you imagine if Thailand were as complacent and irresponsible as the Excited States…..

There is no escape….. The Provincial Electrical Authority (PEA) here in T’land, just raised electrical rates +17% on 01 September 2022…..

I’ve actually seen Thais wearing cloth masks while swimming in the sea here in Phuket…. Nuff said….

I’ve lived in T’land for over the past 24yrs on various types of visas. Was issued a 10yr O-X Retirement Visa in October 2019. Recommend you avoid “agents” and just use a good Int’l law firm in BKK to assist.

After spending over 45 years in the cockpit of both fixed-wing and helicopters mostly in the Persian Gulf, I’m now listening to a few Generals wanting F-35’s here in T’land. Hell, I’d kinda like to have an F-35 as well….. But, let’s be realistic. I think a flock of F-16’s will suffice.

With over 42yrs strapped into the cockpits of various types of aircraft around the world…… I’m Done’n Dusted with these clowns….!!! July 2020 at 62yrs of age I was employed as a Senior Line Captain based in Abu Dhabi working 2 months “On”, followed by 1 month “Off”…… spending my “time-off” at home here in Phuket. The game plan was to continue working through to mandatory retirement age of 65yrs (June 2023) on my Senior Captains Salary. That didn’t happen. What did happen was Covid. In July 2020 the company I was flying for in Abu Dhabi imposed mandatory forced retirement for all crews over the age 60yrs in an attempt to save $$$$ due Covid. When crews were asked to sign a letter from HR and Flight Ops accepting and acknowledging their retirement, we were all immediately (During the same meeting) offered a new Employment Contract for the exact same job and duties, at 33% less salary as a “Contractor”. Contractors do not get benefits, or end of service pay. I said…….No. Instead, I chose to return home to Phuket. After having been stuck in Abu Dhabi thru August and September, I received a call on 01 October 2020 from the Thai Embassy advising that I could go home. Now fully retired from the cockpit, I also consider myself as having been very lucky in that I was able to avoid any and all of the so called “vaccines”. See attached. All crews that remained were forced to get “Vax’d”, or they too would have also been “Retired” early. With no more 04:15am wake-up calls…… I’m happily retired here in Phuket. G’luck to all the other crews still out there flying….

As a Canadian Expat I was issued with a 10yr O-X Retirement Visa in October 2019, by the Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi where I was working at the time (UAE Residency Permit in my Passport) Having built my home on Phuket starting back in 2003, I’ve also been issued the Tambian Baan Yellow Book and Thai ID Pink Card. Both are great “supporting documents” when it come to dealing with Thai officials. When C19 hit in early 2020 and the planet went into meltdown, oupps sorry….lockdown, I was “retired” from the cockpit along with all other crews over 60yrs of age. I was 62 at the time. Fortunately because of my O-X Visa, Tambian Baan and Thai ID, the Thai Embassy contacted me and said that I was able to return back home to Phuket in October 2020. If I hadn’t got the O-X when I did, I wouldn’t have been able to return home to Phuket until late 2021/early 2022. For what it’s worth, I’ve found that the O-X does hold some weight…..

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I’ve lived here in Phuket for over 25yrs. I’m here on a 10yr O-X Retirement Visa. I own my own house with my name on the Tambian Baan Yellow Book. I have Thai I.D…… and still they want to rape me. Mai Khao Jai….. So, instead of paying-up…… I turn around and leave….. keeping my Baht in my pocket. Mai Mii Pen Hahaha…..

And then we have those riding motorcycles, wearing a mask…. but no helmet. Mai Khao Jai…..??? Or, driving in their car, alone…..and wearing a mask…..

The only legitimate “legal” visas are those issued through a Thai Embassy overseas, or by Immigration inside Thailand. Log onto the Thai Embassy web-site in HK and you’ll see the various visas available and the requirements that you will have to meet. For what it’s worth, over the past 24yrs I’ve been living in Phuket on various different visas including two 3yr Non-Immigrant Business Visas (No longer available) several 1yr O-A Visas. I’m presently on a 10yr O-X Retirement Visa issued in Oct 2019 just before Covid hit. if you require assistance, contact a reputable international law firm in BKK to assist.

Retain a reputable Int’l Law Firm and grant them “Power of Attorney” for such issues. I have an American neighbor from Hawaii who sadly came down with Parkinson’s Disease about 10 years ago. He remains inside his home, unable to leave, except for occasional trips to the hospital in the back of an ambulance. He has “Care Givers” looking after him 24/7. All Immigration / legal issues are taken care of for him by the lawyers in the Law Firm he retained. Be aware that granting the same rights to friends, or wives could be dangerous for both you and your assets. Trust no one….

Consider yourself lucky receiving £177/month from the UK. As a recently retired Canadian Expat previously employed as a pilot in Abu Dhabi, I receive a meager $440.80CAD, or between 11,000 to 11,500 Baht each month (depending on the ROE) from the Canadian Gov’t. Though I had planned working to age 65yrs, when Covid rolled around in 2020, the UAE Gov’t decided to sack…… Oupps, sorry….. “Retire” most all crews over 60yrs of age. I was 62 at the time and employed as a Senior Captain flying helicopters to the offshore oil platforms out of Abu Dhabi. Making application to start receiving my Canadian Pension with direct wire transfer of Pension funds to my Thai bank account, for the first 12 months the Canadian Gov’t posted me paper cheques. My Thai bank would then charge me approx 500 Baht to deposit each CAD$$$ cheque into my Thai bank account. Fortunately in late 2021 I was able to get the direct wire transfer issue sorted, saving myself 6,000B/yr. Having lived in Phuket for over the past 24yrs, commuting to/from work in Abu Dhabi, I am most fortunate that the house is all bought and paid for and my expenses are minimal. But, going from $16,000+K USD per month down to 11,000 Baht per month is most certainly……. ”Challenging”. Enjoy your retirement…..