sailingbill

Thanks, Jacko. I'll be in the states for Thanksgiving holiday. Worst case i obtain a new O-A there. A real pain and expensive . Just panicked a bit. Ill be at the expats meeting Sunday

Well this is unpleasant news. I go for my first retirement extension end of the month. Doubt i could get a proof of income from my bank/ US social security by then. Already have the income certificate from the US embassy. Really don't want to live in Cambodia

On the hospital topic, i recently spent 7 days in Bumrungrad, no surgery. Total 216,495 THB Luckily my insurance covered 100% .

I joined in 2006 and am still a rather junior member. Why?, because the forum as MM structured it has worked , Has usefulness over a long period . Members who live in Pattaya , finally on their first trip or married in Issan are still active after many years. Why merge? But really up to Frosty, See some of you at the Crawl on the 22cd, My second in 12yrs.

Villa Market has them. I made a great Lasagna back in the US. Freeze portions and add a little fresh sauce. But living in condo's i have not seen an oven.

Thanks guy , the above posts' make it clearer my best option which is keeping my US bank and ACH periodically to BB. I did use Scwab for my first two months and had my fees refunded but i doubt they would allow that long term. I read Garys account of getting kicked off a Citibank CC . I understand he didn't really care but for me i think best option for now is to continue with American accounts and do the transfers.

Thanks, Bangkok bank has detailed information on the banks main site." Transferring funds to Thailand" . Appears i have 2 choices .Ach funds from my US bank to Bangkok Bank. I remember that process was discussed here years ago.I'll look for that thread. The other option is direct deposit my pension and social security to BB. For the direct deposit option i have to collect the funds in person or set up a another BB savings account to use an ATM. I'm not totally clear on the specifics or which choice would be better. I am in the Wong Amat area ,the Central Festival branch is pretty close so will visit this week and see what they recommend.

Pretty much get screwed with withdrawal limits at 15,000 baht and 220 baht fee from my American account. I want to transfer my usa pension to Bangkok Bank I have Kasikorn and Siam Commercial accounts and very aware that the branch you deal with matters. What branch would be best to deal with?

i just settled on a condo in Wong Amat Asked the realtor for for a copy of the lease which of course was no problem. But she said i needed to wait until she had the TM 30 before going to immigration

I have Airbnb a condo in Bangkok for 2 months prior to deciding where l"ll stay long term. Just be aware many condo buildings do not allow for short term stay. Not sure about the Base. Just use caution if the ad indicates things like "If you have any problems DO NOT ask for help with condo staff". There are several notices in my building indicating less than 1 month rentals are illegal. My experience with airbnb was overall very good.

Im using Hipflat when in Bangkok ,but they have a Chonburi seach also. Multiple agencies with map or list views. In Bangkok they also list the # of meters to the nearest BTS . In checking Pattaya it seems you guys have lot more choices than the View Talays of old.. I haven't been back in a few years, thinking I need to plan another visit.

Fortunate that i have been healthy , my last primary care doc was a pediatrician. Now in my 60's im seeing issues. Nothing to keep me off Soi 6, but appreciate what to expect cost/quality/insurance. Downloaded the preferred providers list and was surprised Bumrungrad was not on the Bangkok list. Best advice was from a BM some time ago , he was in an Icu in Bang Chang or Rayong , advised having a high limit CC , the federal BCBS will reimburse before the CC bill hits.

Good to know about BHP. I was treated at Bumrungrad in July , but the Federal BCBS required I call them first. They then faxed a guarantee letter to the hospital.

Slight correction Midlife. The SFO crash was Asiana not ANA. I was a pilot in my youth and so have always had interest in Aviation. I follow these threads on Airline pilots forum .com and Prof Pilots rumor network. Interesting threads from pilots.

The added hassle and cost of getting to JFK negates this for me now. I'm Married to ANA . But I lose status and the business class cabin next year. This under 21 hour, 1 stop flight will be tempting. Have not seen much like this out of the east cost for years.

Jasmine City, S Sukhumvit Suites, Taipan all different price ranges.

Attached to the Highway Bil (you got a love them) passed this week by Congress. Defined as owing more than $50,000 usd in back taxes .Im posting because i have met a couple fellow Americans who may have problems with this and could make return difficult . If you set up a payment plan or have "humanitarian" reasons to travel then you may be ok. For our non American friends, 50k may seem like a lot of money, its not. The IRS levies fines, coumpounds interest and penalties.

Over the years traveling to Thailand my biggest bargain has been paying $200 over US airline fares and flying ANA. Now i love air asia once im there, but you need to know the rules and how to uncheck boxes . I was leaving Bali and a young couple with a small apartment worth of baggage was in front of us. I told the girl with me this was going to take awhile, Sure enough, much drama, tears and a trip to the atm for them.

Last used 5/25 no problems.

My first trip to Pattaya was on United, never again. Have been Platnium ANA for past 5 years so enjoy the use of the Lounge, showers and priority boarding even in Y. Overall excellent service. I knew i was becoming a grumpy old man when i stopped staying at the Narita Hilton solely to avoid United CC in bar bitching about their Flight crews, Passengers and lives.

I have 2-3 extra tickets. 2500baht face value each. Seats aa01-aa05 .

Sailfast , go to the forums on "Flyertalk". They have extensive threads on this. I dont know the details, but Chase will wack your card for certain schemes..

ANA 50,000 miles a year=Platinum. Upgrade points allows business class upgrades even if you do not have the required miles. Also you can you use the Lounge with free food, drinks and a shower room. This even with a cheap economy ticket. More seats are open to advance selection. Platnium will get waitlisted business/first seats before United code shares and the masses. I have played the game for years since i have a 24 hour trip. The rules can be complicated and differ for each airline, and they can change every year. Next year i move to LOS and give up, i'll just spend the night at the Hilton in NRT and buy a cheap ticket.

I liked Nirun for the price. It would be nice to have a place just to keep clothes, golf clubs year round. I just couldn't get past the prison type doors. Larry ,used to be at Secrets, lived there quite a while. M Would like to see the pictures and balcony view. Hell, just have Patna take the pics. He could make Nurin look llike the Hilton.

My first trip was shortly after the coup . In 2010 i was midway Tokyo- BKK when the Curfew was first initiated. Never any real problems either time. So as my luck would have it i'm arriving Feb 2 @ 2200. How soon are the election results known in Thailand? I assume not before the polls close as in th US . Should we expect immediate reaction , on the streets, from the losing party?