wwest5829
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Posts posted by wwest5829
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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!
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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.
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3 hours ago, neeray said:
I have a friend in the Philippines who was doing laundry in the river. A leech attached itself inside of her vagina. Ouch !
Immediately, this came to mind. "Candiru is a tiny Amazonian parasitic catfish reported to swim into urethral and other body openings of unprotected bathers". I think I'll pass on the trekking and Amazon swimming!
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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”.
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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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I had been here some years before I witnessed a Thai guy dragging a Thai girl out of his vehicle and start hitting her. Before retiring to Thailand I had read books on Thai History, Politics, Society … I kept driving. This is not a culture built on the Western concept of Chivalry … here Loss of Face takes precedent.
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I fell afoul of this with my Fidelity Account where SS and RMD deposits are made automatically. I used to do an EFT to Bangkok Bank, NYC. Fidelity does not use the required form and so a change. Ever since, I have Wise set up so that on my Wise App, I tell them, once a month to take a stated amount (usually $2200.00 USD) from my Fidelity Bank Account and transfer the equivalent Baht into my Bangkok Bank here in Thailand. I always check the “long Stay living expense” reason for the transfer. Always comes in as FTT without issue for my annual Extension of Stay.
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19 hours ago, Lite Beer said:
Could say the same about Marriage 40,000 a month transfers. Even better.
Always brings a smile to my face ... single retired 65K a month, married 40K. as if you would need less of a budget amount. I switched from retirement to marriage but still transfer in 65K a month as we spend that much per month.
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20 hours ago, grain said:
Too old for any type of fighting now, age 76, in such a situation all I could do is try get away, if I tried to hit a 20 yo he could hit or push me and I'd be flat on my back in a second. I had my fair share of punch ups in my younger days but they're way behind me now, I used to be able to bang 4-5-6 times a night too, and those days are way behind me too. 😄
Same age, I can only hope I have my walking stick with me! Quick deep jab and "scurry" like hell (since the best I can do is a fast walk).
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1 hour ago, arithai12 said:
Since you decide to hijack the topic, let me follow. You are saying that instead of parking 800,000B, you invest them and you get 4k USD. Apart from the fact that you still have to bring in 65k THB/month, and that you risk losing your extension if something goes wrong in one month, I would be very curious to know which investment gives you 4k/22k (22kUSD ~ 800kTHB), that is 18.2% guaranteed return, tax free. Last 4 words are very important.
Sorry to befuddle. My total annual earnings is around $4000.00 USD from my investments. .That is on more than the equivalent of 800,000 baht. Additionally is my USA Social Security and the mandatory Required Minimum Distribution from my retirement funds (total income about $33,000.00 USD annually. I have not looked at my rate of return, certainly it is greater than the Thai bank would be paying over the 12 years I have been retired here. I recognize there are other considerations that others prefer. I just replied drawing attention to the reason that an alternative exists that does not tie up $22,000.00 USD. Oh, I do have another account which could cover any one month problems with the transfer ... but I have not had one instance where I needed to use the emergency measure. My Wise transfer arrives again by tomorrow afternoon in my Bangkok Bank Account, cited as FTT transfer for long term living expense. Many folks read subjects and comments to help them determine what is in their best interest.
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52 minutes ago, 1happykamper said:Tragic and disturbing on many levels.
I think it's a criminal offense in America to not help in such situation....
But then there is also, “Good Samaritan” law protecting someone offering assistance to be held harmless of liability.
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12 minutes ago, Don Chance said:
If you invest that money in the SPY for 30 years you should average 12% per year. So if you retire and stay in Thailand for 30 years it will cost you about $100,000 in lost interest and capital. Or $3000 per year.
This is the reason I use the monthly income method. My retirement funds are invested and bring in about $4000.00 USD annually. Cannot justify parking working funds not generating the income.
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3 hours ago, scorecard said:
A while back I opened a new savings account at K Bank to start the KPlus app. (Had to have an account my name only, cannot use joint account to start KPlus.)
At the branch I showed my passport and the officer noticed I had the pink ID card. She requesed that they use the ID number on the pink card to open the new account. I agreed and she pushed aside my passport.
She then requested that they also update my profile details to include the pink ID card number. The lady explained that the bank prefers the pink ID card number for PR holders because the number remains valid for lifetime, whereas as pasports expire and new passport numbers must be entered when a new passport is issued.
A while later I was doing something at BBX, I asked the officer if they wanted my pink ID card number. Instant 'yes please' and the lady instantly updated my profile details and removed my passport number. Same comments as K Bank.
Two good advantages you two cite. Getting ready to move into new house with my Thai wife and Stepdaughter. I think I will get a Pink Card after the move.
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5 hours ago, dinsdale said:
More like legalizing casinos to bring in more Chinese 'tourists'.
That was my first thought also. It should be interesting to watch the opposition. Plenty of discourse on the subject from the USA which regularly goes round and round in states and localities. New ... "What happens in Chiang Mai, stays in Chiang Mai".
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5 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:
It was like taking a nap. You will feel groggy when you wake up. The actual colonoscopy takes about 30 minutes. I think was under for about 40 minutes.
I have had two but long ago in the US. Worse than the procedure for me was having to drink the liquid to clean out the intestines ... light weight oil ... gag! Story to give a chuckle ... the last one the Doctor nudged me awake and presented me with the eye piece end of the hose ... I was looking up inside myself. Guess he thought I might be interested?!i
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I have always printed out the form at home, filled in the info. I knew and passed it in at the “Drive Thru” here in Chiang Mai. Works for me.
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14 hours ago, BarraMarra said:
Thats the problem Save the, im flying shortly from Manchester via Bahrain to Bkk over 18 hours with the stopover. On the flight, I won't be able to listen to my music. I thought if i bought an old i pod i could simply transfer it but now its not free.
I have had some luck using Bluetooth to transfer the songs from my old iPod to my iPhone XR. But I think the best advice posted is to check with the Apple Store for sure.
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In Chiang Mai I used the Attorney through Assist Thai Visa. Lower cost than what you have found but ... that does depend on any complications of therms. Mine was a simple Will stating that all Thai holdings go to Thai Wife, excludes non-Thai holdings.. Separate Will in USA.
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2 hours ago, observer90210 said:
I'm sure you are right. But I cannot control or help genetic heritage.
On the other hand I can help what's in my plate and going down.
I used a simple technique when my previous cholesterol levels and other related levels were not to the norm.
Quit smoking and changed the diet and took homeopathy (Cholesternium in 9 CH) due to the bad press of statin based anti-cholesterol medication.
It dropped significantly at the appropriate level at the next check after 6 months. As I am no doctor, cannot say which worked, but it worked for me and that's what really matters.
Agree with your comment concerning genetics. All paternal line Uncles (& Father), Grandfather, Great grandfather dead of heart attacks. Me? 5 by-passes in 2005. By-pass scar tissue build up caused 2015 heart attack. On statin drugs. Oatmeal every other day dropped HDL to 71 on last check-up.
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6 hours ago, bbko said:
If they ever make foreigners pass a criminal background check to enter Thailand on a long stay visa, I'm all for it.
I do recall being required to submit a police report (along with the medical and financial statements) when I applied for a Kingdom of Thailand )-A Visa for reason of retirement in 2011.
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3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:
20+ yrs ago, you could find a decent house for $100k, now it's next to impossible, specially with a good school district, along with inflation and silly expensive healthcare, even if you have insurance or medicate.
If moving & living there now, there wouldn't be much left for pocket money to enjoy life. Those already established, should be OK, but the youngins, it's a rough start. My nieces & nephews, and friends' children, luckily started 20 ish years ago, so all doing good and comfy life.
Probably still the 'land of opportunity', but nothing like 20+ years ago.
I figured I did have a choice. A rusting trailer in Arizona or Florida or moving. Happy with my decision … but the cost is only long distance contact with remaining family.
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Fortunate to spent my working life as an educator. Middle school (a manic age where you can see children transforming into young adults … ha! Yes with all the angst. High school … there I saw the real issues coming to the fore … And then 27 years teaching undergraduate survey courses in American and European History. The latter, in addition to the teaching included directing our city’s “Sister City” program. In these years I was quite busy but, the advantage was, I had so many different facets to attend to that I was never bored. Only downside was inadequate compensation and so retired to a lower cost country where I find I feel rather compensated for my 41 years efforts (no thanks to some administrators who pressured to silence my questioning of their ideas).
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Certainly not in any rush as I am enjoying my laidback current retirement existence. But when it comes, no fear … just keep me out of pain and slip me the morphine drip if I end up drooling!
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18 hours ago, KhunLA said:
Went back in 2003, for a couple months, caring for mother as she made the transition to then next dimension. Then in 2006 for a long weekend, for legal business, and couldn't wait to leave. Really felt like a visitor and not home at all. Would have been 1 day, if I didn't have to stay over a Friday for the excursion fare discount 🤣 as only 'needed' to be there on Monday. Flew in Thurs. left Tues.
While the USA is my home country, my only global residence is Thailand. Took my Thai Wife and Stepdaughter for a monthlong trip to the US SE Coast last April. We all agreed, we prefer Thailand … especially due to the costs (still paying down the $19,000.00 USD trip cost). A large reason for my retiring here was I could not afford a working middle class retirement in my own country … I do realize I am not alone in this.
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Advice needed for 1 week in Chiang Mai
in Chiang Mai
Posted
While I agree in general, Mike ... I have found the "right" side of the road depends on which of the 7 countries I have driven in ...