Florida Guy

Well I just returned from LOS five days ago. I took plenty of cash with me and came back with a small surplus, but after adding up what I spent and comparing it to previous trips, it's clear the exchange rate hurt the wallet a bit. If this continues I may have to adjust the amount of fun I have on future trips ... or at least cut way down on all those lady drinks! By the way, I lived in LOS for three years in the early 70's and the exchange was 20 BHT to the U.S. Dollar the whole time I was there. Of course a LT was 100 BHT tops in those days.

Welcome aboard Snowmaan. You'll have to plan on an evening at The Blues Factory to hear some great music by ... ummm ... well, your cousin, Snowman!

You're right elef, I don't have a clue. Who knows where that site got their info. The full moon is in the 24th and that's Loy Krathong according to Thai Visa. Thai Holidays 2007 Who knows? TIT

Nov. 27, 2007 Scroll to the bottom of the page ... "future events". Loy Krathong 2007

Are you sure about that Owen? Personally I have no clue myself, but that reason may not add up. As an example, I lived in Thailand for three years while in the military but lived in a local village. The military paid me an "off-post housing" allowance as well as "separate rats" (separate rations ... food allowance). I didn't have an assigned room in the barracks and if I ate on a military installation I had to pay for the meal. But, you may be correct as I honestly don't remember whether or not they taxed those allowances. When you brought this all to light (and I thank you) I just assumed it was some compensation for the low pay we receieved in the military compared to the going rate in civilian life. Again, that was total speculation on my part when I tried to use common sense as to why they were offering this.

I always catch Loi Krathong myself and will be there for it this year (10/24 - 11/09). Biego ... I'm not sure what you mean ... Loi Krathong is always on the full moon. Actually the "first" full moon in November. (In 2001 there was a full moon on 11/01 as well as 11/30) Hacker, it would be easiest to do a Google search ... there are probably a million websites where you can read up on it.

Ditto !

LOL! Not sure if you meant emotions or emoticons. I guess they're kind of the same when you really think about it. Are you getting all emotional on us SB?

So what DOES it mean? I did a search with SSG as the "key word" and clicked on "All Forums" but came up with zilch.

Picoman ... I believe Social Security has a COLA and compensates for inflation ... IF as you say, it's still there when you get there. I have 7 more years myself and still sweat it. Here's the link by the way for anyone else who stumbles onto this thread. Social Security

Owen ... thanks man ... I just found it on the ssa.gov site. The way it reads you're exactly right. I guess I'll be on the phone for the next couple hours as I think there are quite a few buddys of mine that this will help out ... including myself. Again, thanks loads ... every little bit helps!

Owen, I'm not exactly sure what you mean. I get the form every year which says, "Your Social Security Statement" on the front. In fact I just received one recently. Inside in the "Earnings Record" it shows all the years I've worked (as well as the years I was in the military) and what I earned during all of those those years. Is this the area you're talking about? Confused. After re-reading your post I might understand ... are you saying that they add approx. $1200 to the total you show as income during those military years? So if my "earnings record" shows $XXXX the actual total will be $XXXX + $1200 ??

Sounds like you have a handle on it, but FWIW, I had the same trouble most of yesterday and last night. (U.S. time)

I'll go along with that. Heck, I'd MUCH rather give those poor souls a few Baht than those a-holes outside of Mike's collecting for the "Thai Boy Scouts" ... yeah right!

Thanks MM. Yesterday BM Vaid deleted one of his controversial posts. I went to read his previous posts and came up with a blank. I then accused him of wimping out and deleting ALL his posts. I guess I owe him an apology. Thanks for the quick correction MM. You da' man!