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wwest5829

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Posts posted by wwest5829

  1. 11 hours ago, Sjoerd said:

    1 week before I wanted to extend my visa, i have gone to Immigration at Kap Choeng to ask what I would exactly need. When the boss heard that I live alone in a small village she told cannot have 1 year extension because nobody quarantee that I live there and it is unusual/dangerous to live alone at a ricefield city where is nothing to do. After some discussion (example I told I had extensions 3x before) she ordered someone to write down the requirements. The extension could in her opinion only when the "home owner from which I have a rent contract" send a signed document from her ID, her living tabain bahn and the tabain bahn from the home I rent.

     

    When I had all the documents including the other necessary ones I went back there with a well known business man from the next city. With 3 people they checked all the documents and after the boss started again cannot give the required extension because live alone!

     After long discussions in which the friend told that I really like to live quiet and all the people in cities around there like me she still not wanted. Finally I showed her the documents from my past wife and my 12 years old sun, marry, born and died, together with strong pictures my wife laying dead on the road under the concrete and pictures of my sun who lives 15 km away from me. After this she told me to be sorry and extended my visa. The 3 documents which they needed 1 week before, they not needed anymore and gave back.

     

    What I not like is why it has to come to this point, for what reason.... I not see the necessary from the documents ex wife and sun.If really needed why not asked a week before.

    My friend had to sign that I really lived there. If not trust they could come visit me. I know the boss is allowed to ask more information/documents but I not see the reason to refuse on a living alone reason because many farang live alone and get an extension.

    But ok I have my extension....with re-entry. Hope next year it will be more easy....

    Sorry for your having been, “put through the wringer”. Thailand is looking crack down currently of those out of the norm foreigner requests. Don’t take it personally, you just got caught up in the closer than usual investigation of valid requests. I am very sorry to hear of your loss, and have no doubt that the IO was also sympathetic.

    • Thanks 1
  2. 11 hours ago, Kinnock said:

    If you want to go direct to your destination, use Grab.  If you want a mini adventure, take a tuk tuk.  Experienced travellers have known this for decades.

     

    Not even a scam .... just the tailor shop paying commission for visitors .... he could pay the full fare, but then he'd have no story for his channel.

    Agree. When I was looking at Chiang Mai as a possible retirement, I was offered to be taken around in  a Tik Tuk. No scam the driver took meo a gem factory, to Big C, to Taylor shop, etc. He was quite open about his getting a tip at each shop for brining a potential customer by. I got almost a full day being taken around in a city with which I not familiar. On another trip in Bangkok, I was taken to the Manhattan Taylor Shop where I bought 3 shirts and two suits. I counted neither experience as negative as I was fully aware of what to expect on both our parts.

    • Agree 1
  3. 19 hours ago, CharlieH said:

    A bit hard that one, as what one person finds exciting another may not.

     

    I suppose it was the sheer wonderment and attack on the senses the first time I sat at a bar in Soi Nans, on the corner of the Nana Hotel (hooters now?)and just watched what was going on.

    Never seen or experienced anything quite like it.Not being a drinker or frequenting bars as such, never been to Thailand before, this was way back in 2003. My entire 2 week stay was unbelievable and exciting to me, and why I came back so many times and eventually moved here.

     

    That one trip and experience changed the entire course of my life. 😀

    Agreed, except it was 2009. I was a fat boy in a candy shop, quite literally. Thailand ... "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...." from what I was familiar with in Western Kentucky.

    • Thumbs Up 1
  4. 3 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

    Never use banking app on a phone - or any payment apps - there are many potential downsides - it is a risk. And in Thailand, or any 3rd world IT country with a dubious banking system and very few legal protections and legal rights, it is absolutely a massive risk.  I worked in IT for 30+ years and have been saying this for years - they are phones - smart phones - but still they are phones.

     

    I guarantee you that if any Company (eg. Bank) or Government Dept (eg. Tax) is offering you something for nothing that will "make things easier for you to live your life and fulfill all your goals and ambitions' - it is a croc of poo-poo.  They are doing it for their own benefit - not you.

     

    Unfortunately these days with so many young stupid over-educated idiots - banking and payment apps are being used a lot on phones.  Which is a good thing, because that is what the scammers and hackers are all targetting these days.  Meanwhile all us old school dinosaurs using heavily secured laptops and paying for everything using cash (like many Thais) are sailing in far smoother waters - we still have got to be careful, but far less chance of a major catastrophy. 

    Certainly caution is advised. As to financial catastrophe, I limit the funds here in Thailand which mitigates the risk. Thus my use of the monthly income method into one bank account for monthly expenses. Another bank account for savings (also limited amount). I guess I took it to heart when upon retiring here that one should put at risk only what one could afford to lose.

  5. Recommend Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) signup on the State Department/ Embassy website. Up to you how much info to list but you do have the ability to list next of kin, etc. which will aid the US Embassy in contacting family upon notification of your death. A Thai Will certainly is recommended.

  6. 1 hour ago, bbi1 said:

    Australia provides school bus transport to and from school & the train stations. None of this stupid ways the Yankees do it, stop on both sides of the road when kids get off the bus. Kids get off the bus, cars on both sides of the road keep driving like normal. No stopping and waiting for the school bus.

    Thank you for telling me that Australia provides school transportation for all students, truly, I did not know as I have not studied nor visited Australia. As to the mandatory stopping to allow the students safe time to cross the road upon entering or exiting the school bus and crossing the road safely? I will continue to support. But then to each  country and their population … their sovereign choice without others condemnation … my valued Allie.

  7. On 11/13/2023 at 4:25 PM, bbi1 said:

    Who the hell stops on both sides of the roads when a school bus stops? Only a stupid American thing from what I understand. Nowhere else in the world.

    Damn those Americans. Question, how many other countries provide school bus transportation for their students? Not in Thailand, not in Mexico last time I was there, hmm, if fact I have not recall witnessing this in any of the countries I have visited (certainly not the majority of the world's countries).

  8. 5 hours ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

    Agreed. They still have foreign/farang tourist police, go to walking street and you can see them,  but they are more like liaison and have very limited powers.

    I could not be opposed to Chinese national expats (nor Russsians for that matter) volunteering with the Tourist Police on the same basis but I do not think that is what is being proposed.

    • Like 1
  9. 1 hour ago, Banana7 said:

    This is merely another step to make Thailand a puppet state of China. Here is another fact: Chinese police will be undertaking policing activities in Thailand with the help of the Thai government.

     

    There is a BIG meeting planned for 15 November 2023 at the Embassy of China in Bangkok with Thai Officials, where China wants to bring in Chinese Police officers to patrol so called Chinese tourist areas in Thailand. Thailand maybe agreeing to permit Chinese spies/police/intelligence operatives to operate in Thailand. Of course this means wherever in Thailand there is one Chinese person, Chinese security agencies will be able to operate legally

    The pRC has already established offices in global cities to "assist Chinese nationals" ... tentacles.

    • Like 1
  10. 1 hour ago, Nicholas Paul KNIGHT said:

    See start with Chinese Police Patrols and NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tell Thailand top control its MEDIA, this country of basically free speech can say what it likes about anything it wants. Except according to Autocratic Bejing Taiwan ... Bull<deleted> ! 

    With  due recognition of the immediate results of the military coup, as I recall. Is the three finger "Scout" sign still banned?

    • Like 1
  11. 9 hours ago, smedly said:

    little mouse Srettha will of course comply, he has no backbone, a yes man as long as his pockets are being filled

     

    China is a bully and a dangerous one, Taiwan, will not be bullied, niether will Ukraine, if Russia and China don't back off then the future is bleak, I mans self destruction is not far away, we keep repeating the same mistake - somone thinks the have the power, Putin.....desperate to save face for the grave error he made invading Ukraine, how stupid was that, he will NOT be allowed to win, the west will try and avoid humiliation but there will come a time when it is unavoidable - Putin will be humiliated unless he backs off, pointless destruction and loss of life, what is he 5"6 - not realy man size so I guess he feels inferior so  i have some sympathy 

     

    as for Taiwan, leave it alone china, you will get it handed to you and you know it, they are armed to the teeth.......try it at you peril

     

    and as for your bully tactics in the SCH especially towards Philippines - that will not be tolerated much longer

    As has been pointed out, there is a contest between the authoritarian government model and the more democratic government model. I recognize that it is certainly not black and white for some claiming "democracy" are not addressing the needs of their working middle class but ... I certainly cannot embrace the PRC model ... too much control demanded in return for surrendering individual freedoms for this American. Can get into deeper subject matter but I'll spare all.

  12. 3 hours ago, jacko45k said:

    We have had Western police for many many years, as the Tourist Police Volunteers and the Foreign Police Assistants. They have pretty limited authority  and have to have regular police with them and no power of arrest. Probably find them sitting around playing with their phones. 

    So, why not bring in the Chinese under the same Tourist Police organization conditions? I get the feeling this is to be a "horse of a different color" (or in Thai context, "Says, same but different").

    • Agree 1
  13. 2 hours ago, rwill said:

    Driving on the other side of the road isn't that hard.  The biggest issue you will have at first is turning on the windshield wipers when you want to use the turn signals.  But you have to be aware of how people drive here too.  Don't ever think about 'right of way' when driving here.

    Agreed. Switching which side to drive on and having the steering wheel on the other side was just natural for me but ... after 12 years, I still sometimes hit the wrong lever for turn signal/wipers!

  14. On 11/12/2023 at 3:10 AM, Bill97 said:

    A week is not enough

    Agreed. I spent six weeks once I focused on Chiang Mai. A month condo rental one place, two weeks at another in different parts of town. One week only allows a tourist statement of having visited the city. A week in different locations to get a feel for local area services (food, shopping, costs, general services, transport, etc.) before deciding on where to stay for the first 6 - 12 months of living in Chiang Mai.

  15. 30 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

     

    This is an ACH transfer from Fidelity to WISE?

     

    How is the Fidelity username, password, and 2FA handled within the WISE app?

     

     

    Fidelity offers fee-free SWIFT wire transfers, but you need to set up a standing first-party order in person (or with a Medallion guarantee). And you need to call in the transfer each month. I usually call in on/shortly after the first of the month, ~ 20:00 Thai time. Funds are usually deposited at Bangkok Bank the next (working day) in the 09:30 to 13:30 time frame.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Yes, it is an ACH transfer and the cost is less than $20.00 USD on a transfer of $2200.00. I am not concerned about instant delivery so I order the transfer at my convenience, sometimes ordering it on a Friday afternoon and arrival on the following business day afternoon. No, “medallion” signature guarantee needed. I did it all online with Wise and Fidelity but long ago so I do not remember the exact order of steps taken. Once a month, I open the Wise App on my iPhone and send the order … as the accounts are already linked, I do not enter username, password, etc. Has worked for for over a decade without any “glitches”.

  16. I was recently told of a Thai acquaintance of my Wife who called to tell her the good news that she and her Daughter, after using an agency were successful in getting US Tourist Visas. The Daughter plans to remain and work. And thus Thais are costing other Thais by their planned overstays and illegal working … Like it or not Thai females, especially have an earned reputation.

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